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HOW TO OBTAIN 
A PATENT 

WHAT TO INVENT 



TAIBERMALBEM 

PATENT LAWYERS 

TALBERT BUILDING TM^ST. 
WASHINGTON, D.C. 



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MR. E. HUME TALBERT 

Registered Patent Attorney 

Patent Lawyer 



E. HUME TALBERT 

EHUME TALBERT, senior member of the 
firm of Talbert & Talbert, patent lawyers, whose 
# offices occupy the entire Talbert Building, No. 
711 Eighth Street, Washington, D. C, has been 
actively engaged in various branches of the patent 
practice for over twenty years. 

Besides being a registered United States Patent 
Attorney and a lawyer, he has had actual shop practice 
and is able to operate the machines and other tools in 
any well equipped machine shop or manufacturing 
plant. His practical education in mechanical and 
electrical lines, together with his long experience in the 
handling of cases involving inventions in almost every 
art, has enabled him to give his clients the services of 
a man having both a practical and a theoretic knowledge 
of the arts which form the basis of nearly all inven- 
tions. 

Mr. Talbert is a member of the bar of the United 
States Supreme Court, the Supreme Court and Court of 
Appeals of the District of Columbia, and of many of 
the Federal Courts throughout the United States. He 
has had extensive practice in patent and trade-mark 
litigation both before the Patent Office and the United 
States Courts, and, prior to his present association, he 
was for years actively connected with two of the largest 
patent law firms in the world. 

Mr. Talbert has personally served, as patent counsel, 
a number of the large manufacturing and industrial 
concerns, rendering them opinions as to validity and 
infringement, and conducting litigation in the Federal 
Courts throughout the country; his success in this line 
of work has been very gratifying. 




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VIEWS OP OUR OFFICES 



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VIEWS OF OUR OFFICES 



HOW TO PROTECT YOUR INVENTION 

You send us a sketch, photograph, or model of your 
invention, together with a description of it. 

We will report to you whether or not in our opinion, 
the same contains patentable subject matter, for which 
service we will make no charge. 

You send us $15 on account. 

We will, in a simple case, prepare the specifications 
and claims and send them to you for approval and 
signature. 

You return to us the executed papers, together with 
the balance of the fees due (Government Final Fee 
excepted). 

We will file the case in the Patent Office and prosecute 
it to a definite issue. 



MINIMUM CHARGE 

Attorney's Fee $25 

Government Filing Fee 15 

Official Drawing (one sheet) 5 

Total Cost $45 

(There is also the Final Government Fee of $20, which is pay- 
able any time within six months after the Patent Office allows the 
application.) 



TALBERT & TALBERT 

Successors to Talbert & Parker 
Patent Lawyers 

TALBERT BUILDING WASHINGTON, D. C. 

711 Eighth Street, N. W. 



Confidence 



EVERY great success in every line is based upon 
confidence. No concern can long exist which 
has not won and, through rendering satisfactory 
service, held the confidence of those doing busi- 
ness with it. 

No patent attorney can hope to reach the pinnacle 
of success until he has first gained the confidence of his 
clients by faithfully serving and guarding their in- 
terests as though they were his very own. 

No inventor can hope to secure the best results in 
any patent case unless he has confidence in his inven- 
tion and the utmost confidence in the attorney whom he 
selects to fight his battles and win his case. 

We are proud to say that the steady and substantial 
growth of our practice is in a large measure due to the 
confidence resposed in us by those inventors who, having 
once entrusted their cases to us, are still doing so and 
are advising others to do likewise. 

If you lack confidence in your present attorney you 
cannot expect to succeed with the invention he is 
handling for you . 



Our Motto: To serve you well and to the 
best of our ability is our aim, to the end that 
we may earn the reward we seek — Your 
Confidence. 



TALBERT & TALBERT 

Successors to TALBERT & PARKER 

Patent Lawyers 
Talbert Building Washington, D. C. 



INTRODUCTION 

A PERSONAL TALK TO INVENTORS 
BY E. HUME TALBERT 

INVENTION is the axis around which the business, progress 
and civilization of the world revolves. 
It is the purpose of this book to convey to inventors and to 
the public at large a valuable collection of facts and informa- 
tion on the subject of invention, to the end that interest in 
invention may be further stimulated, and its inestimable value 
to the world at large more fuliy realized. 

Incidentally, we aim to acquaint inventors and patentees 
with the great work we are doing and the valuable service we 
are in position to render them in the proper handling of their 
patent causes, both before the U. S. Patent Office and the courts. 

Selecting an Attorney 

Unfortunately, few inventors have awakened, until too late, 
to a true realization of the value of a strong patent and the im- 
portance of placing all patent matters in the hands of an 
attorney who is thoroughly competent to handle all of the 
technical and professional details in connection therewith. 

The inventor's need of an experienced patent lawyer is 
emphasized by the following statement of the Supreme Court 
of the United States in the case of Topliff vs. Topliff : 

"The specification and claims of a patent, particularly if the 
invention be at all complicated, constitute one of the most 
difficult legal instruments to draw with accuracy, and in view 
of the fact that valuable inventions are often placed in the 
hands of inexperienced persons to prepare such specifications 
and claims, it is no matter of surprise that the latter frequently 
fail to describe with requisite certainty the exact invention of 
the patentee, and err either in claiming that which the patentee 
has not in fact invented or in omitting some element which 
was a valuable or essential part of his actual invention." 

This comment from the highest tribunal in the United States 
should preclude inventors from placing or entrusting their 
business in the hands of inexperienced attorneys. The inventor 
should make ability, not price, his first consideration in 
the selection of an attorney. 

To be a thoroughly efficient patent lawyer requires more than 

11 



12 Talbert & Talbert 

hard study and years of experience; it requires a natural bent 
towards mechanics and the industrial arts, and an ability to 
picture in one's mind constructions which are suggested by the 
disclosure of inventors. Persons are born for patent work the 
same as they are for music and art. A patent attorney should 
be able to readily grasp the invention from the client's descrip- 
tion, sketch or model, and understand not only its construction 
and principle of operation, but the function of each part; and 
a competent patent attorney will in most cases discover ad- 
vantages and possibilities in the invention which never occurred 
to the inventor himself. By being able to see all of the possi- 
bilities of an invention the competent patent attorney is en- 
abled to prepare the case so as to secure for his client the 
broadest protection to which he is entitled. 

We believe that we, with our corps of efficient technical 
assistants (including specification writers, draftsmen, designers 
and searchers) are qualified, through our experience and prac- 
tical and theoretic knowledge of the industrial arts, to render 
our clients competent service in all matters relating to patents, 
trade marks and designs. 

Our Location 

Our offices occupy the entire building (five floors) known as 
the TALBERT BUILDING, No. 711 Eighth Street N. W., 
which is three or four doors from one of the main entrances of 
the Patent Office. Our close proximity to the Patent Office 
enables us, without loss of time, to interview the officials and 
examiners whenever, in our opinion, our clients' interests will 
be best served by such a course. All correspondence with the 
Patent Office is delivered by our employes, thus saving much 
time which would otherwise be consumed by transmitting it 
in the regular way by mail. 

It is a distinct advantage to an inventor to employ an attor- 
ney located in Washington, as the Patent Office has no branches. 
All patent business must be conducted in Washington either 
personally or by correspondence. As it is difficult, and often- 
times impossible to make clear, through correspondence, ob- 
scure points which are constantly arising in connection with 
patent matters, the attorney located out of Washington finds 
it necessary to engage a Washington associate to represent him 
before the Patent Office, and the associate is called upon to 
interview examiners on cases with which he is wholly unfamiliar 
and is, therefore, unable to present them in the strongest possible 
light, to the great disadvantage of the inventor. 






Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 13 

From our experience we know that many times an oral argu- 
ment presented by an attorney thoroughly familiar with the 
case not only results in a prompt allowance of an application, 
but broader claims are frequently secured. 

Some attorneys located out of Washington personally come 
to Washington to present matters to the Patent Office. Such 
visits, however, are infrequent, and the client either directly 
or indirectly pays for the attorney's trip. 

To get prompt, satisfactory service in connection with busi- 
ness before the Patent Office, we advise employing a competent 
Washington patent attorney. 

Our Recommendation 

Throughout this book we have reproduced with just pride a 
few of the many letters received by us from actual clients 
of our firm who have entrusted their patent causes and their 
money to us and whose letters clearly indicate the high opinion 
they have of us and of the service we have rendered them. 

Should you so desire we will gladly send you the name and 
address of one or more of our clients, in or near your locality, 
with whom you may confer direct as to our ability and reliability. 

We also suggest that you inquire of your Senator or Repre- 
sentative in Congress as to our firm. 

Our reputation and the good will of our clients are the most 
valuable assets we have, so we make every endeavor to render 
prompt and efficient service. 

In soliciting any patent business you may have at this or 
any future date, we do so with the assurance that your in- 
terests will be our interests, and our one desire will be to add 
you to our long list of satisfied clients. 

TALBERT & TALBERT 

Patent Lawyers 
Successors to T albert & Parker Talbert Building, Washington, D.C. 

711 Eighth Street, N. W. 



14 Talbert & Talbert 

PATENT PROFITS AND 
POSSIBILITIES 

How to Gain Profit by Invention 

NOT everyone has inventive genius, but a multitude of 
persons who have do not give it exercise. Others men- 
tally work out valuable devices and lack the energy and 
foresight to patent them. Many patented inventions have 
proven worth thousands of dollars for every minute of time con- 
sumed in their creation. 

To profit by invention one must not only create the inven- 
tion, but protect it by a patent. 

The way to invent is to study how an existing device can be 
made to better answer its purpose; or to conceive a new purpose 
and devise a mechanical means for carrying it out. The field 
for invention is without bounds or limits. There are more 
opportunities for originating new and patentable, and profitable, 
devices today than there have ever been before because it is 
an immutable physical law that every new condition works a 
change in other conditions requiring expedients for adapting 
and harmonizing one condition with another. The invention 
of the railway, for example, effected a revolution in social and 
industrial life throughout the world, and hundreds of thousands 
of other inventions, extending into every conceivable art, were 
a natural consequence. The same is also true of the automobile, 
this invention now constituting the basis of one of the world's 
greatest industries. 

Easy to Invent Something 

Anyone of average intelligence can determine for himself 
what to invent. He needs but to study objects entering into 
daily use about him. Reference to our list of "What to Invent" 
at the end of this book, will also be of valuable assistance. 
There is room for improvement in everything, and these im- 
provements, if patented, and if useful and valuable, are bound 
to yield large money reward under good management. All 
patentable inventions are regarded by the Patent Office as 
improvements, for the reason that the very spirit of invention 
is to improve upon existing conditions. No doubt every reader 
of these lines has exclaimed, "Why didn't I think of it!" on 
seeing some simple, money-making article. Hundreds of such 
articles are patented annually. The inventors who "keep their 
eyes open," and not only think but ACT, are justly the ones 
enriched. Ability to invent is the greatest natural endowment 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 15 

bestowed by a kind Providence. He who fails to exercise the 
faculty gets no reward, and, as a rule, such go through life 
without finding reward in anything. 

The most wonderful feature of invention is that a mere 
suggestion, or a mental hint, of some new thing, will soon assume 
perfection under careful thought, and this "thinking out" 
process is the thing needed to attain success. 

The inventor who does not act after he has "thought out" 
his invention, has made a failure from the standpoint of profit. 

The first thing you should do after you have conceived an 
improvement is to write us, explaining your idea fully. If 
our report is favorable file an application at once. The 
chance to obtain a patent on a meritorious invention is a busi- 
ness chance of rare value, but, like any other good business 
chance, must be promptly taken advantage of to realize that 
value. 

After your patent is obtained, the question as to the best way 
to obtain profit from it arises. If you are a manufacturer, or 
if you have had experience in the organization of capital for 
the promotion of business enterprises, you do not need advice. 
If you should wish to sell your patent outright, or by territorial 
allotment, the following important suggestions should be 
observed: 

Selling an Invention 

The majority of inventors prefer to sell their patents for a 
lump sum. To effect the sale the inventor himself may well 
take the matter in hand or enlist the advice and executive 
ability of someone personally well known to him, or a person 
or firm with whom he has had dealings, and whose reputation 
for reliability is widely known. The prospective purchaser 
must have the merits of the invention called to his attention, 
and, next to a personal talk with him, we regard properly 
conceived correspondence as the best means. The corre- 
spondence ought to be strictly business in tenor and not burdened 
with immaterial matter. The patent, if procured through us, 
will clearly set forth the invention in all its details of structure 
and function. Mail a copy thereof to each person or firm 
addressed, and enclose a stamped envelope for reply. In our 
judgment it is not well to set a price, but solicit offers and accept 
the best, if it is reasonable. Under the section "Our Service 
to the Inventor" we outline and explain fully how we serve 
our clients in assisting them as much as possible to sell their 
patents. 

It is bad policy to offer a patent for sale before issue thereof. 



16 Talbert & Talbert 

If patent has been issued, the prospective purchaser is assured 
that the invention is new and that you can give him a bonafide 
title. It amounts to the difference between offering that in 
which you have acquired title, and that in which your title 
is only prospective. 

Strong Patents on Practical Inventions Always Salable 

"Necessity is the mother of Invention" and it is the constant 
need of and demand for inventions and improvements, which 
causes invention to be recognized as one of the most profitable 
lines of endeavor today, and which enables us to state without 
fear of contradiction, that Strong Patents on Practical Inven- 
tions are Always Salable. 

A man obtained a patent for a slight improvement in straw 
cutters, took a model of his invention through the Western 
States, and after a tour of eight months returned with $40,000 
in cash, or its equivalent. 

Another invention, in about fifteen months, made sales that 
brought him $60,000, his invention being a machine to thresh 
and clean grain. A third obtained a patent for a printing ink, 
and refused $50,000, and, finally, sold it for about $60,000. 

These are ordinary cases of minor inventions embracing no 
very considerable inventive powers, and of which hundreds go 
out from the Patent Office every year. Experience shows that 
frequently the most profitable patents are those which appar- 
ently contain very little real invention, and are to a superficial 
observer of little value. 

Instances are numerous wherein the inventor has made 
several millions of dollars from his invention. The air brake, the 
sewing machine, the telephone and telegraph, all involve broad 
principles, and the original patents, as well as patents for im- 
provements, represent an aggregate value so vast as to be 
almost incalculable. The very simplest patented ideas, if novel, 
useful, or entertaining, are quick and bountiful in cash returns. 
Dr. Higgins received over $100,000 in cash royalties alone from 
his United States and foreign patents for the little thimble you 
grasp in putting your umbrella up or down; the rubber tip for 
lead pencils was equally valuable. The common lace for women's 
gloves was invented by a woman and has yielded her a vast sum. 
The metal heel plate, and the toe tip of metal, for shoes, were 
each worth over a million. 

In some of the following pages we refer to dozens of instances 
where practical inventions protected by strong patents have 
produced enormous returns and there are thousands of other 
instances of which the general public has no intimate knowledge. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 17 

In profitably disposing of patents much depends upon the 
inventor, who must see that his invention and the patent thereon 
are brought to the attention of manufacturers and others most 
likely to be interested in the purchase thereof. 

In this connection we are in position to lend valuable help 
and assistance to our clients by putting them in touch with 
manufacturers and others in their respective lines. 

This feature of our service is fully explained in the section 
devoted to "Our Service to the Inventor." 

Simplicity Not a Bia|r to Success 

Simplicity in an invention, provided it is combined with 
novelty and utility, is more likely to prove an aid rather than 
a bar to success. 

While it is perhaps true that the largest fortunes have been 
made on more or less complicated and intricate inventions, 
it is equally true that the fortunes made on simpler inventions 
such as the paper clip, fountain pen, metal bottle cap, etc., 
have been larger in proportion to the amount of energy, time, 
and money expended in their perfection and promotion. 

It is frequently much easier to interest capital in, or other- 
wise dispose of a more simple invention the advantages of which 
are immediately apparent and which can be manufactured 
and marketed at comparatively little expense. 

Growth of Civilization Demands New Inventions 

The rapid growth of civilization in this country has been 
due largely to invention. 

It is equally true that the rapid strides made in all lines of 
invention are largely due to the growth of civilization and the 
demand which is thus naturally created for new inventions 
which will facilitate its still further growth. 

Think for a moment what important parts, in the civiliza- 
tion of the entire world, are played by the incandescent electric 
light, the telephone, telegraph, phonograph, moving picture, 
automobile, electric car, and other inventions which only a 
comparatively few years ago were scarcely known of. 

Besides the great demand for absolutely new and unheard- 
of inventions, the demand for improvements on inventions 
already patented and in every day use is enormous. 

In this connection our list of What To Invent will be of value 
to many inventors who desire information regarding those lines 
in which improvements are most needed. 



18 Talbert & Talbert 



Inventions Often Best Investments 

It is an established fact that many of the largest fortunes are 
directly attributable to wise investment at the proper time in 
some meritorious patented invention. 

Those who invested in the early stages, in the Ford Automo- 
bile, the Bell Telephone, the Victor Talking Machine, the 
Mergenthaler Linotype, the Lanston Monotype, and other 
inventions too numerous to mention, have seen their original 
investments double and triple time and time again. 

The man who refuses to invest in a meritorious invention 
has only himself to blame if someone else reaps the fortune 
which might have been his. 

The inventor who has confidence in and who thoroughly 
understands his invention, but who lacks the funds necessary 
to apply for patent, should experience no great amount of 
difficulty in persuading some friend or business acquaintance 
to advance the small amount required. In fact, in doing so he 
may be conferring a favor which may result in substantial 
profits, or even great wealth to the investor. 

Successful patented inventions have made many millionaires 
and will continue to do so. 

If you have faith in your invention you should lose no time 
in applying for a patent and should feel no hesitancy in seeking 
financial assistance, if necessary, from anyone whom you can 
thoroughly trust not to disclose to others or convert to his own 
use your ideas. 

You should consult us fully in regard to your invention and 
let us advise you without delay. 

Prizes Offered for Inventions 

It frequently happens that a concern, individual, or a city, 
State, or National Government will offer valuable prizes for 
inventions in certain lines. 

We endeavor to keep informed as to such prize offers and the 
conditions and requirements thereof and to advise our clients 
accordingly, it being our aim to assist and in every possible way 
co-operate with our clients to their best possible advantage. 

You Should Study Our List of What to Invent 

If you have not already decided in what direction to apply 
your inventive ability we advise that you study carefully our 
list of "What To Invent," which will be found complete in one 
section in the rear of this book. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 19 

This may suggest to you some line of invention which you 
are particularly well adapted to follow and which may produce 
the most satisfactory results for you. 

In publishing our list of what to invent, we do not wish to 
convey the impression that no patents have as yet been granted 
for inventions such as are mentioned or described in that list, 
nor do we wish to give the impression that inventions are 
wanted in only those lines covered by our list, as there is room 
for constant improvement in every line. 

We aim rather to point out that further improvements in these 
lines of invention are desired so that inventors who are familiar 
with such devices as now used may invent valuable changes 
and improvements thereover. 

Will It Pay to Secure a Patent? 

Whether or not it pays to secure a patent depends upon 
a number of things — the value of and demand for the invention, 
the "push" and perseverance of the inventor in disposing of his 
patent to a reliable manufacturer (in this connection we can be 
of great help to our clients) — and the selection of a reliable 
patent attorney to handle your case and see that your rights 
and claims are guarded and protected to the fullest extent. 

The extent of profit frequently depends as much upon the 
business capacity of the inventor, his agent or attorney, as upon 
the intrinsic merit of his invention. There is no other invest- 
ment that offers such large returns, compared to the money 
invested, as does a protective patent for a practical and useful 
device. 

Manufacturers are always in the market to secure protected 
substantial improvements on machinery and processes, which 
will enable them to produce their wares more cheaply, or of 
better quality, as they thereby secure a monopoly on a cheaper, 
superior, or improved article in competing for business. 

We can safely and honestly say that in our opinion any strong, 
protective patent secured on a new or improved invention that is 
in actual demand, or likely to be in demand, should pay, though 
it is naturally impossible, if not against the ethics of the pro- 
fession, for a patent attorney to predict in advance whether or 
not any particular invention will pay if patented. 

The amount which a financially successful patent pays is 
generally large enough to counteract the cost of any possible 
failures and leave a handsome profit besides. 



20 Talbert & Talbert 



How Much Is My Invention Worth? 

The question is frequently asked us and is invariably an- 
swered by our saying, "We do not know." And no one else 
knows. A patent for an invention gives the owner the exclusive 
right to make, use and sell the invention. If you are manufactur- 
ing the invention, it might be worth $100,000.00 to you to 
keep others from making, using and selling the device. If some 
one is infringing your patent, it might be worth more than 
that to you. 

In a recent case over $1,000,000.00 was paid by an infringer 
of a patent to the owner of that patent. The Selden Auto- 
mobile patent was considered infringed by nearly every auto- 
mobile propelled by a gasoline engine. When Selden invented 
his crude automobile back in the 70's who could foresee the 
millions that would be made out of it? When Mr. Bell in- 
vented the telephone, it was only considered a scientific toy. 
A simple railway car construction patent was considered value- 
less until a large corporation discovered that it was infringing 
the patent. The value of the patent jumped almost over night 
to $50,000.00. as the corporation was willing to pay that for it. 

If you submitted a patent to one manufacturer, he might 
tell you it was absolutely worthless, while his competitor might 
see how he could make a fortune out of it. 

Had Gillete said, when he first invented his safety razor, 
that in a very few years his razors would be used in every 
country on ike globe, people would have considered him a 
dreamer or insane. 

Strong patents for meritorious inventions are valuable, if 
properly handled. By a strong patent, we do not mean that it 
must necessarily be a basic patent or one containing very 
broad claims, as we know of patents which have very limited 
claims which are, however, very valuable, as it is necessary to 
infringe those limited claims in order to produce a practical 
device. 

The above remarks resolve themselves into two perfectly 
natural conclusions: First, that the value of a patent depends 
upon what others are willing to pay for it, and second, that in 
order to secure all the protection to which you are entitled, 
you should have your application prepared and prosecuted by 
attorneys who, through long experience and constant study, are 
capable of prosecuting your case in its most favorable light — 
attorneys who appreciate the advantages which your invention 
has over other devices of the same general character. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 21 



Fortunes Which Inventions Have Produced 

No other nation can boast of the genius that adorns the 
pages of American inventive history and to which this country 
owes, more than to any other element, its rank as a manufac- 
turing and commercial nation. Many of the men who endowed 
this country with their genius were mechanics and other persons 
obliged to work for day's wages, and in not a few instances the 
ideas evolved from their brains resulted in the reward of enor- 
mous fortunes. 

Robert Bruce, inventor of type-casting machines, was born 
in New York. Previous to his invention the casting of type was 
a hand process, by which fifteen pieces per minute could be pro- 
duced. After several trials he devised an improved machine 
which produced one hundred and forty pieces per minute. 
This machine is now in use by all of the founders, the sale of 
patents having brought the inventor a handsome fortune. 

L. C. Crowell, who invented valuable improvements in 
printing machinery, was at one time a wage-earner. Had it 
not been for his paper folding machinery the present enormous 
editions of bulky newspapers might not have been possible. 

George D. Burton sold an interest in his process of electrically 
welding metals under water for the sum of $100,000. He, too, 
started out as a mechanic. 

Another who has become rich from Patent Royalties is Alex. 
P. Morrow, a former mechanic who invented the coaster brake 
for bicycles which now bears his name. 

George M. Pullman, inventor and manufacturer of sleeping 
cars, was born in Brockton, N. Y., in 1831. He had a common- 
school education and worked in a country store. The first 
sleeping car, The Pioneer, was built in 1864. The Pullman 
Palace Car Company was organized in 1867. A few years later 
Mr. Pullman founded the town of Pullman, at a cost of 
$8,000,000, as a center for his manufacturing interests. He was 
worth in the neighborhood of $40,000,000, employing 15,000 
people, and had a yearly pay roll of $7,500,000. 

Jenne and C. L. Sholes are largely responsible for the develop- 
ment of the modern writing machines. Sholes, though originally 
a mechanic, died rich. 

Mergenthaler, who at one time was an expert mechanic, 
received millions from the Linotype Typesetting Machine 
which he invented and which is now used all over the world. 
It still produces enormous profits annually. 

F. A. Flannigan had a little jewelry shop in Washington, 
but at length he developed a method of cleaning oil wells by 



22 Talbert & Talbert 

dropping an electric stove down into them. Formerly when 
wells became choked with paraffin they were cleaned by explod- 
ing nitro-glyeerin cartridges, a costly method and risky. The 
electric-stove process is cheap and can do no damage. It made 
the inventor a very rich man. 

The career of Fulton, in connection with steam navigation, 
is well known. It is scarcely necessary to speak of Benjamin 
Franklin, who first unraveled some of the mysteries of elec- 
tricity; of Elias Howe, who invented the sewing machine; 
of Cyrus H. McCormick, inventor of the harvesting machine; 
of Charles Goodyear, discoverer of the rubber combination; 
or Samuel F. B. Morse, who invented the telegraph. The 
names of Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin; Thomas 
Blanchard, who patented the tack machine, and John Ericsson, 
who designed the screw propeller for vessels and invented the 
iron-clad monitor, are familiar to all. 

While many of the foregoing inventors produced machines 
of a more or less complicated nature, it must be borne in mind 
that money can be made more easily out of simple patented 
inventions. Great discoveries, like the typewriter, typesetting 
machine, air brake, etc., take so many years, and cost so much 
to perfect, that the incomes from same are small compared 
with the incomes from the aggregate field of simpler devices. 

The idea of tapering a candle at the end to make it stick 
firmly in its socket was patented by the inventor, who later 
founded the largest candle factory in the world. This is a good 
illustration of what a simple idea may be worth, if properly 
protected. The gradual development of the umbrella has pro- 
duced enormous wealth for more than one inventor. Samuel 
Fox alone, who first conceived the idea of grooving the ribs of 
an umbrella, and who designed the "Patent Paragon Frame," 
left a princely estate of $895,000. 

An invention is almost sure to be profitable if it is simple 
and useful. 

The Frenchman who invented the ball and socket fastener 
for gloves became rich as a result. The double ball clasp for 
pocket books and bags is another wonderfully successful, yet 
simple, invention. The man who conceived the idea of putting 
small pieces of cork on the nose pieces of eyeglasses now receives 
a royalty on every pair sold on which his improvement is used. 
One of the most profitable small inventions is the crimped tin 
cap for beer bottles — it is cheaper than cork and universally 
used. The patents covering the machinery for attaching the 
cap are also big money producers. The idea of making a lemon 
squeezer of glass was worth just $50,000, as the action of the 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 23 

lemon juice on the metal formerly used created a poison. A 
Washington, D. C, baker by the name of Corby is reported 
to be making $100 per day in royalties from patents on bread- 
making machinery which he invented for use in his own busi- 
ness. The inventor of the tin can which can be opened by 
striking the top a smart blow secured an initial order for 500,000 
from Armour, the packer, and is today independently wealthy. 
Two hundred thousand dollars is the amount said to have been 
earned by the automatic inkstand. The idea of applying shoe 
buttons with a metal fastener has been worth a big fortune. 
The wooden shoe peg produced $500,000. The inverted glass 
bell placed over gas jets to protect ceilings was another gold 
producer. Barbed wire fences have earned great sums — like- 
wise an ice-shaving device. Millions have been made by the 
proprietors of the "hump" on a hook to hold it fast in the eye. 
Dennison made a fortune on his idea of reinforcing the tying 
hole of a shipping tag with a small circle of pasteboard. Big 
money has been made on the little brass paper clip, patented a 
few years ago. Simple devices having to do with women's 
wearing apparel have been among the most profitable patents. 
For instance, the rubber dress shield and the idea of using 
feather quills in place of the old-time whalebone in corsets. 
The suspender garter for women was sold outright for $50,000. 

Thirty thousand dollars was produced by an improvement in 
straw cutters. For several years a spring for lamp chimneys 
yielded over $50,000 annually. An invention in printing inks 
sold for $60,000. In fifteen months a grain cleaning machine 
produced $60,000 in net profit. Spaulding is said to have 
received $100,000 for his sawtooth. The cylinder savings bank 
so widely used paid its inventor $2,000 a day for several months. 
A Washington woman is reported as receiving $600 a month 
from her improved baby bib. The sad-iron, invented by Mrs. 
Potts, netted over $500,000. 

Col. Green's drive well paid him nearly $300,000 in royalties. 

One hundred thousand dollars is the annual yield of the 
spring window shade. 

The sewing machine needle, invented by Elias Howe, netted 
over $50,000 a year. 

Among the larger inventions, $900,000 was produced by the 
binder horseshoe machinery; Wright Brothers sold their U. S. 
aeroplane patents for $1,000,000. Masuary's tin can produced 
$100,000; the three big phonograph companies put out over 
$12,000,000 worth of records a year; eighty-five thousand dol- 
lars was earned on Waterman's crinoline wire; over $240,000 



24 Talbert & Talbert 

on Sturtevant's shoe peg veneer; and Miller's car coupling 
and other patents have made small fortunes. 

The man who invented a plan for writing signatures, dates, 
footnotes, etc., on films when the picture is taken, through 
a small slot in the camera, sold his idea to the Eastman Com- 
pany for $300,000. It will probably net them millions. 

The harvesting machine, invented by Cyrus McCormick, 
paid him over a million. Goodyear's rubber vulcanizing process 
made a large fortune in royalties. Forty dollars which Isaac 
Singer borrowed to help ^protect his first sewing machine resulted 
in a huge business — one factory alone is said to turn out over 
10,000 machines a week. One year his net income exceeded 
$3,000,000. He died leaving an estate of $13,000,000. 

Thirty million dollars in profits was made by the Westing- 
house air brake and $36,000,000 in dividends has been paid by 
the Bell Telephone. It is claimed there are nearly 200 patents 
paying more than $1,000,000 each annually and nearly 1,000 
more paying half that sum each year. There are thousands 
paying more than $100,000 annually. According to an estimate 
by the Commissioner of Patents, it appears that from three- 
fourths to seven-eighths of the total manufacturing capital of 
the country of over $6,000,000,000 is based upon patents. The 
annual incomes of American patentees is greater than the value 
of the products of all the gold, silver, and diamond mines in the 
world. 

The Dunlap Pneumatic Tire Company started on a capital 
of $112,500. In two years it was sold for $15,000,000 cash. It 
was later sold to another company for $25,000,000. This is 
an illustration of the immense fortunes in well-handled patents. 

The development of the locomotive, steam boat, and trolley 
car has made many millionaires, and improvements in these 
and other devices are constantly in demand. 

A permanent demand exists for practical safety appliances 
of all kinds which will lessen the tremendous loss of life through 
accident or carelessness. Many of the safety devices now in 
use on elevators, trains, trolleys, steamers, and elsewhere are 
big money makers. 

Enormous sums are made annually in modern improved farm 
implements and machinery of various kinds. The International 
Harvester Company, which controls many of the most 
important patents in this line, has made millions of dollars 
therefrom. 

The inventor of the cream separator probably never dreamed 
of the large fortunes that would be made on his original idea 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 25 

and improvements thereon. Today the manufacture of cream 
separators is a profitable and flourishing industry. 

Many of the popular toys and games so widely advertised 
are big money makers. "Meccano," a popular toy consisting 
of separate parts out of which all sorts of structures may be 
built, is claimed to have made $1,000,000 for its inventor, 
Frank Hornby. 

The Aeolian Company, which controls many patents on 
piano-playing devices, is one of the wealthiest musical con- 
cerns in the world. 

Others Who Have Made Profits on Their Patents 

The following paragraphs tell of other inventors who have 
made money out of their inventions. These are not cases 
where millions have been made, but are a few of many cases 
of which we have a personal knowledge, in which good incomes 
and small fortunes have been realized out of patents. 

One inventor, a plumber, who a few years ago was working 
for $3.00 a day, and whose patent work was handled by one 
of the members of our firm, now has a business built up solely 
on his invention which nets over $40,000.00 a year. 

Another inventor, whose patent business we handled, on the 
strength of his patents, secured the necessary credit to equip 
a factory to manufacture his device, and in three years he 
retired from the business with a handsome profit. He then 
established another business, manufacturing a different article 
under the same patent, and in a year he sold out with another 
good profit. He then started a third business, based on another 
patent, and for a while was unable to supply the demand for 
his goods. 

Another inventor secured a patent on a simple device. When 
it appeared in the Official Gazette it was seen by a large manu- 
facturer of goods of the same class ; The manufacturer im- 
mediately sent his attorney to the inventor, and a sale was 
consummated which netted the inventor considerable money. 

Another inventor, who worked in the shops of a railroad 
company, had organized a company to manufacture an article 
for which he had obtained a patent. Before the company had 
started to market the article the inventor secured a patent for 
an entirely different device which he turned oyer to the com- 
pany. Within a very few days after the drawings and claims 
of the second device appeared in the Official Gazette a repre- 
sentative of one of the largest manufacturers of electrical 
goods called on the secretary of the company, and offered to 



26 Talbert & Talbert 

manufacture the device on a royalty basis, with guaranteed 
royalties of $10,000.00 a year for five years, or to purchase 
the patent for $40,000.00. The latter offer was accepted. 

Another inventor, who was a driver of a milk wagon, secured 
a patent for an invention which one of the largest companies 
engaged in the building of railroad cars later discovered it was 
infringing. The company immediately sent a representative 
to the inventor, with authority to pay as much as $50,000.00 
for the patent. The sale was made. This same inventor had 
another invention which was being manufactured on a royalty 
basis by a large steel company. 

Another inventor, who worked in a bakery, secured a patent 
on an improvement in ovens, which produced for him a good 
income for seventeen years, and a position which paid him a 
large salary. 

Another inventor who made an improvement in lamp burners 
for which he obtained a patent, granted a license to a manu- 
facturer on a basis of two cents royalty per dozen. Thousands 
were manufactured for the foreign trade alone. The inventor's 
widow (the inventor having died a short time after the license 
was granted) was amply provided for by the royalties paid 
her each year. 

A low-salaried clerk made an improvement on a well-known 
form of desk blotter, which was marketed under a license 
agreement. In a short time he had the satisfaction of knowing 
that some of the largest corporations in this country were 
replacing the old style blotters for his. His income from 
royalties has been steadily growing. 

An inventor devised a means for quickly coupling two sec- 
tions of hose. A large manufacturer of brass goods was very 
glad to secure the exclusive right to make and sell them. The 
first year they were on the market thousands of sets were sold, 
the royalties on which amounted to a large sum. 

A small toy produced large profits for another inventor. 
During the first season it was marketed the demand was greater 
than the supply. 

Another inventor received $40,000.00 for the Canadian rights 
to a vending machine. He received a much larger sum for his 
United States and European patents. The same inventor in- 
vented an air compressor, which he disposed of to a large com- 
pany which has more orders for the machines than it can fill. 

The patents covering the President Suspender have netted 
$500,000.00 in royalties. The idea, though simple, appealed 
to men, and millions of these suspenders have been sold, to the 
inventor's profit. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 27 

A young boy in Canton, Ohio, when less than fourteen years 
old invented a pneumatic automobile jack. At the age of 
fourteen he invented a non-leakable piston ring, which proved 
so successful that a company was formed. One order they 
received was for $1,080,000.00 worth of these rings. 

Another inventor wanted something to amuse his children. 
He invented a toy and has made over $1,000,000.00 on the 
patent. Thousands of these toys are sold every year. 

A middle aged engineer working at day's wages invented 
and patented an automobile. In twelve years' time the com- 
pany making his automobile, and of which he is president, 
accummulated assets of $60,000,000.00 of which $27,000,000.00 
was in the banks in cash at one time. An invention protected 
by a patent did it all. 

A young bank clerk was discharged for drawing pictures of 
automobiles during working hours. Six months later he in- 
vented an automobile part which made him a fortune. He is 
now the president of one of the largest automobile companies 
in America. 

An uneducated barber in England found time between shaves 
to discover the needs of the weaving trade and invented the 
spinning jenny, which yielded a fortune, and has formed the 
basis of one of the most necessary industries in the world. 

A young German started life as a bookkeeper in a small 
Washington dry goods store. During the evenings he puzzled 
out the transmitter, upon which the development of the tele- 
phone is largely based. He is now a wealthy man and has 
donated thousands of dollars to worthy charities. 

A young girl invented something new in paper dolls when 
she was seventeen years old. After her idea was patented she 
made a deal which paid her $1,000.00 a year until she reached 
the age of twenty-one, after which she received $3,500.00 a 
year for the remaining life of the patent. 

The inventor of the air brake was born on a farm in the 
year 1846. His inventions and patents made him one of the 
richest men in America. He took out over 400 patents and 
controlled thirty big corporations with combined capital of 
$200,000,000.00. 

A doctor discovered a substitute for gasoline and sold the 
idea to a large corporation for $2,000,000.00. He received 
$1,000,000.00 in cash and 100,000 shares of stock in the cor- 
poration worth $10.50 per share. 

A nineteen-year-old boy invented a device which will drop 
bombs accurately from an aeroplane. He secured a patent 
and brought the invention to the attention of the government 



28 Talbert & Talbert 

officials. A test was made and the patent purchased by the 
government for an attractive sum. 

A far-sighted inventor took out patents on an invention 
embodying a gas engine using a clutch and transmission to 
drive the wheels of a vehicle. Over eighty manufacturers paid 
a total of $2,000,000.00 in royalties under these patents. 

Another young man put a gas engine on a bicycle and patented 
the idea. The modern motorcycle is the outcome of his idea. 
Royalties have been pouring in to him in a golden stream, and 
he was also given a high-salaried position with one of the 
biggest manufacturers in the business. 

An automobile racer invented the bumper, which can be 
seen on thousands of automobiles. Today he sits at a desk and 
is paid over $50,000.00 a year for his idea. 

A Michigan inventor patented an improvement in spark 
plugs. It was a big success. The inventor died, but his partner 
is still reaping financial benefit from the invention. It has 
yielded over a million dollars. 

A printer did some tinkering with automobiles in his spare 
time. He invented a demountable rim, secured a patent and 
a company was formed. The first payment they received was 
a check for $3,000,000.00. His invention is extremely simple, 
being little more than a wedge and screw in combination, but 
it made him rich. 

How the War Has Increased the Demand for Inventions 

One of the many problems to be solved in connection with 
America's entry in the world war is that of finding new inven- 
tions which will play as big a part in bringing the war to a 
victorious close as will the huge armies now at the front. 

From the time the war started in 1914 there has been an 
ever-increasing demand for new inventions, and now that 
America has joined hands with the Allies this demand has 
further increased to enormous proportions. 

People do not realize the extent to which new inventions are 
needed in practically every line of manufacture, from toys to 
steel girders, from foodstuffs to battleships. There is scarcely 
a line of invention in which improvements are not in greater 
demand today than ever before in the entire history of the 
world. At this writing we have a case in our office covering 
an invention of which over 30,000,000 have been sold since 
the war started. 

Surely this is an inventive age — an age when every man or 
woman endowed with inventive ability, or genius, should strive 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 29 

his utmost to invent something of practical use in the home, on 
the farm, on the high seas or the battlefield which will result 
in a saving of time, money, property and life at this most critical 
time. Practical inventions will meet with ready adoption, and, 
needless to say, many inventors will be richly rewarded for 
their efforts. 

Every American Inventor Should Do His Share 

There is a place for everyone in the scheme of things, which 
includes the participation of the United States in the world 
war, and every true American citizen should seek his place, 
and no other. 

Invention, which is the one great mainspring of all industry, 
must go on, or the men at the front and those at home will not 
have the sustenance which brings efficiency and victory. 

Invention has played a monster part in every great war, but 
in no previous conflict has the need of new inventions been as 
pressing as in the present one. 

_ President Wilson has urgently appealed to every American 
citizen to do his share, to find his place, and to fill it well. 
Surely much can be accomplished if the large army of American 
inventors will respond to their President's call, and come to the 
assistance of our manufacturers, and those in whose hands rest 
the defense and protection of our nation. He who shirks his job 
now, be it producing gum shoes, or inventing and patenting 
some new and useful device for the benefit of his fellow-men, 
is as much a slacker as the man with every qualification and no 
dependents who refuses to enlist. Inventions of every char- 
acter are needed for use by the fighting forces, as well as the 
millions who will remain at home, and our country's victory is 
largely dependent upon the immediate activity of her many 
able inventors. 

Demand Not Limited to War Inventions 

It ^ must not be thought that this tremendous demand for 
new inventions is confined alone to those of a warlike character, 
for while improvements in all lines of military and naval 
equipment are naturally in great demand, there is a pressing 
need for inventions which will make it possible to manufacture 
and handle larger quantities of goods at less expense and in 
less time. 

Even toys, games and amusement devices are in demand 
especially here in America, for we have always looked to Europe 
for such things. In brief, America is now face to face with the 



30 Talbert & Talbert 



problem of furnishing aU those things heretofore secured from 
abroad, and of furnishing the foreign countries with what they 
themselves are unable to produce. 

She has the resources, but invention alone will enable her 
captains of industry and finance to develop those resources 
with the limited amount of labor available. 

Not only fame, but financial reward of a decidedly substantial 
nature, is at all times lying in store for the inventors of new and 
valuable devices, and it is not at all uncommon for a patented 
invention which has been properly promoted to produce 
hundreds of thousands of dollars for the inventor or patentee, 
liie amount of capital now invested in this country in the 
manufacture of inventions runs well into the billions, and 
additional capital is always to be found for the promotion of 
valuable inventions protected by strong United States patents. 

Kinds of Inventions for Which the Present War Has 
Created Enormous Demand 
The following gives a general idea of some of the lines of 
manulacture and industry in which new inventions and im- 
provements are especially needed at this time: 

1. Tools of nearly every character. 

2. Machinery for the manufacture of practically every article 
used by man in times of peace, to say nothing of all munitions 
ol war. 

m 3. Automobiles, and especially heavy armored types for use 
in warfare. 

4. Excavating machinery. 

5. Explosives. 

6. Wire-cutting devices. 

7. Air craft of every description. 

8 ' Arm <>r P^te, and processes for hardening and treating 

9. Devices to protect ships from submarine torpedoes and 
other bodies from attack. 

10. Improvements in ships and shipbuilding. 

11. Scientific instruments, such as telescopes, periscopes, 
range finders, sound detectors, and others. 

12. Medical, surgical, and hospital appliances, and equip- 
ment tor use m treating and transporting the wounded. 

i a ^°? v ?y ai ! ces and means of transportation. 
14. lelephonic, telegraphic, wireless, and other apparatus for 
transmitting messages. 

15 Improvements in clothing and soldiers' body equip- 
•i-Lieii c 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 31 

16. Improved and cheaper means for manufacturing clothing 
of all kinds. 

17. Agricultural implements of all kinds which will tend to 
increase the productivity of the soil and encourage agricultural 
pursuits. 

18. Shoes and other leather goods, including a practical 
leather substitute. 

19. Rubber goods and a practical substitute for rubber. 

20. Food products and machinery for manufacturing and 
handling them. 

21. Canning machinery. 

22. Mining machinery. 

23. Engines and motors which will produce more power and 
reduce fuel consumption. 

24. Practical substitutes for gasoline and other power-pro- 
ducing fuels now in use. 

25. Materials and machinery used in building and con- 
struction. 

26. Bridge-building machinery. 

27. Freight-handling devices and improvements in railway 
equipment. 

28. Paper-making machinery and processes of manufacture. 

29. Games, toys, and amusement devices. 

30. Devices of every character which will save money and 
time, and prevent destruction of life and property. 

The above general list might well be added to indefinitely, 
as we can conceive of no line of modern industry in which 
improvements are not in greater demand today than ever 
before. 

Farm Inventions Needed to Increase Food Supply 

Upon America has fallen the important duty of feeding 
millions of people abroad, in addition to the 100,000,000 here 
at home. To make this possible, millions of additional acres 
of land must be tilled and planted and the crops they produce 
harvested and transported to various parts of the world. 

Farm labor is scarce, and to counteract this condition farm 
inventions are needed in every branch of farm work. Horses 
will be in great demand for use in the army, and their place 
on the farm must be further filled by additional farm machinery. 
Surely this is an age of limitless opportunity for the man or 
woman who will use his or her brains to supply those things 
which are made necessary by the war. 

The present situation is not one to be set aside for future 
consideration, but one demanding immediate action on the 



32 Talbert & Talbert 

part of every American inventor. America and her Allies must 
win the war — the cause of humanity demands it, and the 
country's inventors can do much to make a complete and 
speedy victory possible. 

Submitting Inventions to the Government 

All inventors who retain us to handle the preparation and 
prosecution of their applications for patent are at liberty to 
request us to submit their inventions to those government 
officials here in the nation's capital who are most likely to be 
interested in inventions in their respective lines. This we will 
do without additional charge. 

In the case of inventions unsuitable for use by the Govern- 
ment, we will not only advertise them, when patented, at our 
own expense, in the leading mechanical magazine, which 
reaches thousands of manufacturers in this and other countries, 
but we will furnish the inventors with names and addresses 
of manufacturers and others who have actually written us 
regarding the purchase of patents. 

Inventions Needed after Peace Is Declared 

The close of the war will bring no cessation in the demand for 
new inventions, for at that time the period of reconstruction 
will begin — the greatest in the history of the world. 

Entire cities will have to be rebuilt and modern structures 
will rise up, to supplant those which formerly covered the same 
ground. 

Bridges, railways, ships, factories, industrial plants, mines and 
every necessary thing which has been destroyed or damaged 
during the war will have to be replaced or repaired in record 
time to permit the wheels of progress and civilization to again 
revolve smoothly and steadily. 

To make this possible, new inventions will be needed which 
will make up for the vast loss of man power caused by the war — 
a loss which can be overcome only by invention or by waiting 
for the present younger generation to develop into manhood. 

Now is the time for all inventors to look ahead and devise 
inventions which will make it possible, when peace finally 
comes, to quickly restore the homes and industries of the 
devastated regions. 

Your Patriotic Duty to Invent Something Useful 

It is safe to assume that any useful invention will prove of 
greater value to the world in these times than under ordinary 
conditions — also of greater value to the inventor. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 33 

Anyone who invents something useful which will save money, 
food supplies, labor, life, or which will add to the pleasure of 
living is actually performing a patriotic duty to his country, 
himself, and his fellow-men. 

If you have inventive ability, now is the time to exercise it — 
to develop your inventions and to protect them by patents. 

Importance of Fully Protecting Your Ideas 

Having explained the value which frequently attaches to a 
practical invention and the present need of new inventions we 
must impress upon inventors the absolute necessity and vital 
importance of fully and immediately protecting their inventions 
by letters patent. 

An unprotected invention on which no patent has been issued 
or for which no application for patent has been filed is like a 
bird with a broken wing or a ship without a rudder. 

It cannot be openly used, manufactured, or promiscuously 
disclosed without danger of its being stolen by others and a 
patent secured thereon by some unscrupulous party who has 
no claim whatsoever to the invention. 

The Government maintains its wonderful patent system 
for the purpose of providing proper protection for inventors 
and in order to encourage inventors in disclosing and giving to 
the public as promptly as possible the fruit of their labors 
and thought. 

Neither the Patent Office nor the courts are in sympathy 
with the inventor who having conceived a new and valuable 
idea hides it away in some dusty garret or the recesses of his 
brain and who discloses his invention only after some other 
and more progressive inventor conceives a similar idea. 

"Promptness" should be the watchword of every inventor 
who values his ideas and hopes to derive benefit therefrom. 

We urge every inventor to at once send us a sketch, model, 
or photograph, with written description of his invention, for 
our opinion as to the possible patentability thereof. 

All data will be dated on reaching our office and carefully 
filed away until actual work on the case has been completed. 

The sending of sketches or models for our opinion and ad- 
vice places the inventor under no expense or obligation to 
us, and our confidential records of the disclosure may prove of 
inestimable value if the inventor should at any time be called 
upon to prove priority of invention, conception, or dis- 
closure. 

You should by all means consult us at once regarding YOUR 
invention or write us for advice and any special information 
you may desire. 



34 Talbert & Talbert 



HOW TO OBTAIN A PATENT 



H 



AVING conceived an invention, you should immediately 
take steps to protect it. This can only be done by secur- 
ing a patent. 

What is a Patent? 

A patent is a grant issued by the Government through the 
Patent Office in Washington, giving to the patentee, his heirs 
and assigns, the sole right to make, use and sell the invention 
covered by the patent, for a period of seventeen years. 

Who May Secure a Patent? 

A patent may be secured by any person who has invented a 
patentable invention, unless he is an employee of the United 
States Patent Office. There is no restriction as to age, sex or 
citizenship. Many patents have been granted to citizens of 
foreign countries, to women and to persons under age. 

Where two or more persons have used their inventive faculties 
to produce the invention, the application for patent must be 
made by all of them jointly, otherwise the patent will be invalid, 
as the law provides that all of the inventors must join in mak- 
ing the application for a patent. 

On the other hand, persons who had no part in inventing the 
device, must not sign the application papers as joint inventors, 
even though they may be financially or otherwise interested 
in the invention. Their interest should be protected by an 
assignment prepared in accordance with the laws governing the 
transfer of patent rights. For their further protection this assign- 
ment should be recorded in the United States Patent Offices. 
(For further information about assignments, see pages 43-46.) 

# <§> <§> <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> <§> 4> 4> 

We thank you for the most masterly manner in which you managed our 
application for patent. We are cognizant of the fact that you have worked 
faithfully and earnestly in your efforts to secure this patent, for which we are 
indeed very grateful to you. 

These few words do not properly convey our appreciation of your services. 

Miller & Whitener, Detroit, Mich. 

I shall be pleased to recommend your firm to anyone desiring a patent. 
After two years having my Undergarment in two patent agents* hands who 
failed, you were successful, and am highly pleased in your methods of doing 
business. You have the privilege of using my name in your testimonial 
book. Wishing you success in the future, 

Aug. Belotti, Amsterdam, N. Y. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C 35 



What May be Patented? 

The patent law provides that any new and useful, art, machine 
article of manufacture, composition of matter, or design, or 
any improvement thereof, may be patented. 

A new combination of elements or parts, which in themselves 
are old, is patentable. 

An improvement in any known machine or apparatus, which 
makes it more efficient, is patentable. 

An improvement in any known article, which increases its 
usefulness, is patentable. 

A new process or method is patentable unless it is wholly 
mechanical, that is to say, unless it consists of the successive 
steps of a machine or other mechanism. 

A new compound is patentable, except such as are made in 
accordance with a physician's prescription. 

A new composition of matter is patentable. 

A new design is patentable. 

What You Must do to Secure a Patent 

If you have in mind a new construction of machine, or an 
improvement on some old machine; or some article which is 
better or cheaper than those now on the market; or some 
cheaper or better method of doing something; or some com- 
pound or composition which is cheaper or better than those 
now in use; or a design for wall paper, badge, lamp-shade, 
automobile or other article or machine, send us a sketch or 
model and description of it and we will promptly advise you 
whether or not in our opinion, your invention contains patent- 
able subject matter, for which service we will make no charge. 
This is the first step towards securing a patent, and should be 
taken at once. 

<§> <§> <§> <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> # <§> <§> <§> 

I received the notice of allowance on the Lamp and thank you ever and 
ever so much for your good service and promptness, and if ever in the future 
I can recommend your company, I would be more than pleased to do same. 

Geo. Richards, Downsville, Wis. 

1 have recommended your firm to a number of persons and friends, and 
will continue to do so, for I think you to be thoroughly reliable, capable, and 
energetic in your efforts to serve your clients. 

Knowing the kind of claims most of the patent attorneys get for their clients, 
I was surprised when I saw how strong and broad, the claims of my case were. 

W. S. Hart, Washington, D. C. 
We have since assisted Mr. Hart in disposing of his patent to the General 
Aeronautics Company for $2,500.00, and a royalty. 



36 Talbert & Talbert 



Certificate as to Patentable Subject Matter 

If our report is favorable we will send you a Certificate as 
to Patentable Subject Matter, certifying that we have examined 
the data submitted by you, and in our opinion it contains patent- 
able subject matter. 

This certificate will prove of value to you, should you en- 
deavor to secure financial assistance from your friends or busi- 
ness acquaintances. 

We aim, however, to so arrange the payment of the fees that 
our clients will not be obliged to seek financial aid elsewhere. 

Evidence of Conception and Disclosure 

In addition to our Certificate as to Patentable Subject Matter, 
we will also send you our Evidence of Conception and Dis- 
closure Certificate, that on a certain date we received from you 
a sketch (or other data of your invention) and that the same 
has been marked for identification and filed away. This 
certificate, when taken in connection with our office records is 
evidence of conception and disclosure of your invention and its 
importance cannot be overestimated. 

In our experience we have frequently seen inventors lose 
their rights to valuable inventions through their inability to 
prove the dates of conception and disclosure except by witnesses 
related to them, or having a financial interest in the invention. 

In order that our clients and others who care to receive our 
assistance along this line, may have some written evidence of 
their having disclosed their inventions to us, we furnish them 
with our "Evidence of Conception and Disclosure" Certificate. 
Should it at any time be necessary to prove the dates of con- 
ception and disclosure of the invention, we will gladly produce 
our office records to establish the facts certified to in said 
certificate. 

<§> <§> <& <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> <§><§> ^ 

J am returning the patents sent for my inspection. I do not feel that my 
idea has any advantage over the one by D. B. Shinnick. I will drop the 
matter. 

You have gone to quite a good deal of trouble to help me out in this matter, 
and if I should ever have another invention, or know of anyone else who is 
looking for a reliable patent attorney, I shall certainly be pleased to give them 
your name. 

Thanking you for what you have done, I am, 

Sadie Rarey, Valparaiso, Ind. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 37 



To Save Time 

You can save considerable time in getting your application 
on file in the Patent Office if you remit $20 when you send us 
the sketch or model of your invention. This amount will be 
credited on account of the attorney's fee and a special search 
of the Patent Office records will be made, and if in our opinion 
your invention is patentable, we will, in a simple case, promptly 
prepare the petition specification, claims and oath and send 
them to you for your approval. 

Should patents be found which anticipate your invention, 
copies will be sent to you for your inspection, and upon request 
we will promptly refund the total amount remitted by you less 
$5, the cost of the special search. 

The Cost of Applying for a Patent 

The cost of applying for a United States patent varies in 
accordance with both the number of sheets of drawing and the 
amount of work required in the preparation and prosecution 
of the case before the United States Patent Office. The mini- 
mum cost of applying for a United States patent is $45.00, 
which amount is charged only in cases covering inventions of 
a simple character. 

This amount is itemized as follows : 

Attorney's fee $25. 00 

Cost of drawing 5. 00 

Government filing fee 15 . 00 

$45.00 

A final Government fee of $20 is payable within six months 
after the application has been allowed by the Patent Office. 

In all cases submitted to us, our charges are invariably as 
reasonable as the high quality of our work will permit, and it 

<§> <§> # <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> <§> <§> <§> 

We take pleasure in stating that their services have been entirely satisfac- 
tory throughout our dealings with them, their technical work being of the 
highest grade. 

They were also prompt in filing our application in the Patent Office, and 
in the successful prosecution of the same. 

Our application for patent was allowed in a reasonable length of time after 
the filing thereof, and we feel no hesitancy in recommending them as a thor- 
oughly reliable and competent firm of patent attorneys. 

Echols & Zindler, Belton, Tex. 



38 Talbert & Talbert 

must be borne in mind that all cases placed in our hands 
receive the personal attention of one of the members of 
our firm. 

Another important point is that the attorney's fee which we 
quote covers our charge for preparing the case and prosecuting 
it before the primary examiner. We make mention of this fact 
because many attorneys make an additional charge for each 
amendment which may be necessary during the prosecution of 
the case. 

Our Terms of Payment 

Ordinarily the amount of our charge should be remitted as 
follows : 

Twenty dollars when you instruct us to proceed with your 
case. The payment of the balance of the fees will be arranged 
to suit your convenience. 

An Application for a Patent 

An application for a patent consists of the Petition, the 
Specification, the Claims, the Oath and the Drawings. 

1. The Petition is a formal request, addressed to the Com- 
missioner of Patents, that a patent be granted for the invention 
shown in the drawings and described in the specification. 

2. The Specification is a description of the construction and 
operation of the invention. In it are set forth the objects of 
the invention. 

3. The Claims specify what the inventor claims as his in- 
vention, as distinguished from matter shown and described in 
his application but for which he is not entitled to patent pro- 
tection. 

4. The Oath is a sworn statement that the applicant is the 
original inventor of the invention shown and described in the 
application, etc. 

<T Z ♦ Z Z TESTIMONIALS 5 J J Z Z 

Gentlemen : 

I must say in all sincerity that I have never been better treated by any other 
patent attorney throughout my experience as an inventor. 

One of the principal features of your service is the noticeable promptness 
with which you file applications in the Patent Office and prosecute the cases 
of your clients. 

The fact that I have placed three cases in your hands, and have recommended 
you far and wide, shows pretty well what I think of you. 

As you know, I have already sold State rights in two of the inventions you 
are handling for me, and I now have a deal on hand for the other. 

Altogether, I am thoroughly pleased with what you have done for me. 

Frank H. Houghland, Cincinnati, Ohio. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 39 

5. The Drawings illustrate the invention described in the 
specification. 

The first four parts are essential to every application for 
patent; and the fifth part (the Drawings) is essential if the 
invention is capable of illustration by drawings. 

Each part of the application must be carefully prepared 
and especially the specification and claims. When no less an 
authority than the Supreme Court of the United States says 
that "The specification and claims of a patent . . . constitute 
one of the most difficult legal instruments to draw with ac- 
curacy," it is to be taken for granted that such work should 
not be intrusted to unskilled or inexperienced persons. Yet 
in the same the court said that "valuable inventions are often 
placed in the hands of inexperienced persons to prepare such 
specifications and claims and it is no matter of surprise that 
the latter frequently fail to describe with requisite certainty 
the exact invention of the patentee, and err either in claiming 
that which the patentee had not in fact invented, or in omitting 
some element which was a valuable or essential part of his 
invention." 

Owing to the highly technical nature of the specification and 
claims the inventor can be of little or no assistance to his 
attorney in preparing these papers. The attorney must have 
had sufficient training and experience to enable him to grasp 
the inventor's ideas and draw the specification and claims in a 
manner to fully protect the invention. 

To the layman the most unintelligible part of a patent 
application is the claims. As the patentee's protection is 
measured by the claims it will be readily seen that the claims 
are the most important part of the application. No matter 
how well the specification may describe the invention, or the 
drawings illustrate it, unless the claims are drawn so as to 
cover what the inventor has given to the art, the patent is 

<§> <§> <§> <§> # TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> <§> <§> <§> 

Replying to yours of the twenty-third, wish to say that this notice sent me 
of the allowance of patent for keyholder was very gratifying to me. This 
notice was dated just three months from date of application, which shows the 
promptness you employed in the execution of this business, and which I ap- 
preciate very much. 

Thanking you for your promptness and wishing you success, I am, 

D. H. Smith, Bluefield, W. Va. 

Yours of the first received notifying me of allowance of Patent on my Pie 
and Cake Lifter. I feel very grateful to you, for the work you have done in 
my behalf. I can assure you I will do all I can to recommend your work as 
I have already done. J. B. Smith, Chester, N. Y. » 



40 



Talbert & Talbert 




*Jfffr?GS*S&S 






&?m&. 



The above is a photographic reproduction of one sheet of drawing executed by our 

Drafting Department. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 41 

worthless. A patent is the only means for protecting an in- 
vention and only that part of the invention which is covered 
by the claims is protected by the patent. It therefore follows 
that an invention worth a fortune may be lost to an inventor 
because his attorney failed to grasp the inventor's idea, or 
lacked the skill and experience to enable him to properly draw 
the claims. 

To secure a patent is one thing, but to secure a patent which 
will stand the test in court and effectually protect the patentee 
against imitators and patent pirates, is a different undertaking. 
The inventor is presumed to know what he has invented, and 
to understand the scope of the claims filed, and in case of 
litigation the courts will not broaden the scope of the claims 
beyond the obvious meaning of the language employed. 

Prosecuting the Case before the Patent Office 

After the application has been filed in the Patent Office, 
the primary examiner in charge of that class of inventions, or one 
of his assistants, makes a search through prior patents to de- 
termine whether the invention as claimed is new. Should he 
fail to find anything which in his opinion, anticipates one or 
more of the claims, he will allow the application at once, unless 
there are formal matters which require correction in which 
case the attorney is notified by letter and an opportunity is 
given to make the necessary corrections by amendment. 

On the other hand, if in his search the examiner discovers a 
patent or patents which shows or describes a device upon which 
one or more of the claims of the application will read, he rejects 
the claims upon said patent or patents and notifies the attorney 
to that effect. The attorney then amends the claims if he 
deem it necessary, and supplements such amendment with a 
statement or argument setting forth the differences between the 
claims in question and the patents cited. This amendment 
is filed in the Patent Office and the application is again taken 

<§> <§> <§> <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> <§> <§> <§> 

You have done good work in the handling of my case and I appreciate it. 

As I look back over your past correspondence, I cannot recall a single 
promise which you have not lived up to to the letter, and I realize that you 
have been most prompt in the handling of every detail. 

It is indeed gratifying to be dealt with in such a satisfactory manner by 
any concern. R. R. Brown, Alliance, Ohio. 

I received my patent and will say am very well pleased with your services 
and if I can be of any service to you, will be glad to do so. 

B. D. Hathway, Woolstock, Iowa. 



42 Talbert & Talbert 

up by the examiner for consideration. This procedure continues 
until the application is allowed, or is finally rejected. Very 
few cases are allowed without the examiner having first raised 
some objection, and in one case of which we have a knowledge 
there were over forty actions before an allowance was secured. 

A carefully prepared specification and well-executed drawings 
greatly expedite the allowance of the application as the examiner 
is relieved of much unnecessary work in the examination of the 
case. The Patent Office examiners appreciate good work o i the 
part of the attorney, and when a specification fully and in- 
telligently sets forth the invention and the claims are of proper 
form and scope, the examiner can devote his whole attention 
to the merits of the case. 

On the other hand, a case incorrectly or poorly prepared en- 
tails upon the examiner much study and extra labor in deter- 
mining just what the applicant is seeking to claim; and loosely 
drawn specifications and inferior drawings have a tendency to 
prejudice the examiner in his action. 

Next in importance to the proper preparation of the specifica- 
tion and claims come the Patent Office drawings. 

The invention must be fully illustrated by carefully executed 
drawings which must conform to the rules laid down by the 
Patent Office. The views must be of sufficient size to permit of 
considerable reduction and still be clearly readable. Sections 
and detail views must be made where they are necessary in 
order to show the form and location of each part of the in- 
vention. 

We are fully aware of the importance of having an invention 
illustrated by large, clear, well-executed drawings and we 
consider ourselves fortunate in having at the head of our 
drafting department a competent constructing draftman who 
has had years of experience on Patent Office drawings. (A 
sample of one of our Patent Office drawings — greatly re- 
duced — will be found on page 40.) 

<§> <§> <§> <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> <§► <§> <§> 

I am pleased to acknowledge receipt of yours of the l&th, together with the 
Official notice of the Commissioner of Patents, that my application for a 
Patent on an Artificial Limb Ankle Joint has been allowed. 

I am more than pleased with your handling of the matter, as you have 
succeeded in having the Patent granted in less than three weeks from the time 
you filed the application. 

Thanking you for your diligence and early prosecution of the matter, and 
assuring you my future business. 

Jas. T. Bracht, Memphis, Tenn. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 43 



Time Necessary to Secure a Patent 

It is impossible to state with certainty the time required to 
secure the allowance of patents. This varies with the division 
in the Patent Office to which the application is referred. There 
are forty-five of these divisions, and each one is more or less in 
arrears with its work. We would say that the average time 
required to secure a patent is from three to six months. 

We make it a point to be prompt with our correspondence and 
preparation of the requisite papers and drawings. After filing 
in the Patent Office the cases are taken up for examination in 
the order in which they are filed. We cannot hasten the case 
when it is awaiting action on the part of the Patent Office, but 
we can secure an earlier allowance by avoiding any delays in 
our office, which we aim to do. 

Assignments, Licenses, Etc. 

An inventor may sell and assign his invention either before 
or after application for patent has been made, or after the patent 
has been issued. He may sell or assign any portion, such as 
one-fifth, or one-half interest in the patent, or a town, county, or 
state right, or he may grant the right to manufacture on a 
royalty. If assigned before the patent is granted, the pur- 
chaser will enjoy the right under the patent whenever it is 
issued. Trade-marks, and labels can also be assigned. 

Every instrument affecting the title of a patent, must be re- 
corded in the United States Patent Office, or it is not binding 
against a subsequent purchaser. Only lawyers thoroughly 
familiar with the patent practice should be entrusted with the 
preparation of assignments or contracts relating to patents, as 
a lack of knowledge of the legal requirements may defeat the 
intention of the parties. Our charge for preparing and record- 
ing an ordinary assignment, including the government record- 
ing fee, is $5.00. 

The preparation of more complex instruments such as part- 

<§> ® <§> <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS * <§> <§> <§> <§> 

I note that you have succeeded the patent law firm of John Louis Waters & 
Co., who recently handled with success the preparation and prosecution of 
application for patent for my Railroad Joint Chair. 

I feel very grateful for the splendid service which was rendered me in the 
handling of this case, and hope that I may have other patent business to place 
in your hands in the future. 

I have received my United States Letters Patent tohich was issued on Oc- 
tober 10, and assure you that everything is entirely satisfactory. 

William A. Pinckney, Stanton, Mich. 



44 Talbert & Talbert 

nership contracts, licenses, royalty agreements and instruments 
transferring shop-rights, state-rights, etc., receive our prompt 
and careful attention, and our charges are as low as consistent 
with the amount of work involved. 

Rejected Applications 

After the filing of an application in the Patent Office, it is 
taken up for examination by the Primary Examiner in the 
regular order in which it was filed. He may either allow or 
reject the application. Rejection is often due to lack of 
ability of the attorney in the presentation of the novelty 
and utility of the invention forming the subject of the 
application. An inventor who permits his case to be handled 
by an unskilled attorney simply invites repeated rejection of 
his application and can never expect the issuance of a patent 
having a scope commensurate with the novelty and value of 
his invention. 

Our past experience in handling rejected applications warrants 
us in asking that we be given an opportunity to secure an allow- 
ance in any case you may have which is now under rejection by 
the Patent Office. Upon request we will, without charge 
examine the Patent Office file of a rejected case and advise 
you as to the possibility of a favorable action being secured. 
If our opinion is favorable we will at the same time quote our 
charge for prosecuting the application to a final issue. 

It is important that an inventor never attempt to prepare or 
prosecute his own application. If he does he will probably 
destroy his chances of securing protection owing to his lack of 
experience and unfamiliarity with the essential features of the 
patent practice to master which requires years of experience and 
close application. 

The Patent Office recognizes the inability of inventors to 

<§> <§> <§> <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> <§> ^ <§> 

I am glad to say that I have noticed your promptness with which you filed 
my application. 

It gives me much pleasure to recommend your firm to anyone desiring to 
get a patent on any invention, and will say that they are sure of good service. 

E. C. Smaw, Chesapeake, Va. 

My patent for Improvements in Safety Razors has been received, and I 
write to express my appreciation of the splendid service rendered me in the 
handling of my case. 

Knowing your work as I do, I feel that I can heartily recommend you 
to other inventors desiring the services of reliable patent attorneys. 

A. C. Wrede, Smithville, Tex. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 45 

prosecute their own applications as is evidenced by Rule 17 
of its Official Rules of Practice, which advises an applicant 
"to employ a competent attorney, as the value of the patent 
depends largely upon the skillful preparation of the specifica- 
tions and claims." 

Reissues 

When, through inadvertence, accidents or mistakes, a patent 
fails to give the inventor proper protection, the law provides 
that it may be reissued for the unexpired part of the term for 
which it was granted. Should you, therefore, have a patent 
which through error on the part of your attorney does not, in 
your opinion, give you full protection, we suggest that you sub- 
mit it to us in order that we may advise you whether or not to 
apply for a reissue. 

Joint Application 

Two or more persons may apply jointly for a patent if they 
are joint inventors. If one person is the inventor and the other 
only a partner, the patent must be applied for in the name of 
the inventor alone; but he may secure his partner in advance 
by executing a deed of conveyance so drawn that the patent 
will be issued in both names. It is of the greatest importance 
that the true position of joint applicants should be thoroughly 
understood by the attorney, in order that he may prepare the 
papers so as to properly protect the interests of both parties. 
If both applicants are inventors, they should both sign the appli- 
cation papers, but if they are joint owners merely, the inventor 
alone should sign the application papers, and assign the proper 
interest to the other party. A patent would not be valid in 
which one of the parties interested had signed the applica- 
tion papers without being a co-inventor. 

^ J J J * TESTIMONIALS J J 5 5 J 

Having employed patent attorneys on two inventions before this one, allow 
me to say that I am highly pleased the way you have served me in this case. 
Your way of doing business suits me to a T. 

John Orbick, Hurley, Wis, 

Your services in my case have been entirely satisfactory to me and will 
certainly recommend your firm to a party who is now working on a patent. 
The only regret that I have is that I did not place the matter in your hands 
long before I did. If you desire you can call on me at any time for reference, 
to parties living in this locality or elsewhere. 

Thanking you for your courtesy and labor, I remain, 

R. J. Gibbons, Ft. Rosecrans, Cal. 



46 Talbert & Talbert 



Assignments 

An inventor may sell and assign bis invention either before 
or after application for patent has been made, or after the 
patent has been issued. He may sell or assign any portion, 
such as one-fifth or one-half interest in the patent, or a town, 
county, or State right, or he may grant the right to manufac- 
ture on a royalty. If assigned before the patent is granted, 
the purchaser will enjoy the right under the patent whenever 
it is issued. Trade-marks, copyrights, and labels can also be 
assigned. 

Every assignment affecting the title of a patent, trade-mark, 
or label must be recorded in the United States Patent Office. 
Assignments of copyrights have to be recorded with the Libra- 
rian of Congress. Those who desire to have assignments of 
patents or licenses, or assignments for trade-marks, labels, or 
copyrights drawn in proper form and recorded, will please com- 
municate with us, stating the full names and residences of the 
parties, the shares to be conveyed, the title of the invention, and 
if already patented, the date of the patent. Also remit $5, 
which is the cost of preparing, filing, and recording the assign- 
ment. 

Contracts, Licenses, Etc. 

We also prepare contracts, royalty agreements, State-right 
licenses, and any papers or documents in connection with patents, 
trade-marks, and copyrights. 

Our usual charge for the proper preparation in legal form of 
a document of not more than one legal page is $5. 

Transfers of Patent Rights 

Closely related to the subject of how to sell a patent or cer- 
tain rights thereunder is the subject of the different ways in 

<§> <§> <§> <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> ® <§> <§> <§> 

Have had thirty years' experience with patents, but never had such work as 
was done on the last patent granted. The firm is at liberty to refer to me at 
any and all times and I will consider it a pleasure to recommend them. 

E. J. Benedict, Memphis, Tenn. 

We are very much pleased with the manner in which you prepared our ap- 
plication papers and the prosecution of the case to the final finish. 

It gives us pleasure to recommend your firm to anyone in need of a patent 
attorney, as we believe matters placed in your hands will receive prompt at- 
tention in Patent Office. 

W. H. & R. Byrd, Pelham, Ga. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 47 

which the rights under a patent may be transferred. This 
may be accomplished by a straight assignment, unlimited 
license, shop license, territorial grant or a royalty agreement. 
Which of these should be utilized depends on the circumstances 
surrounding each particular case. We will be pleased to advise 
our clients on this subject upon receipt of full information as 
to the particular conditions confronting them. 

Our charge for preparing and recording ordinary assignments 
is $5. In cases of more complicated agreements this charge 
is subject to slight increase, the amount of which our client 
will be fully advised on before we proceed. 

Renewals 

If, because of nonpayment of final fee when due, a case has 
been forfeited, the case can generally be re-opened, and the 
application renewed through the filing of a formal petition for 
renewal. Our charge for preparing and filing a petition for the 
renewal of a forfeited case is $10, in addition to the Government 
fee of $15. 

Appeals 

On many occasions an application is finally rejected by the 
Primary Examiner even though the inventor feels that same 
clearly presents patentable subject-matter. In such instances 
the inventor can still assert his rights by successive appeals to 
three higher tribunals as follows: 

Appeal to Board of Examiners-in-Chief 

This board consists of five persons thoroughly qualified to 
review and determine the justice of the adverse action of the 
Primary Examiner. The final rejections of the Primary Exam- 
iner are reversed by the Board of Examiners-in-Chief in a large 
number of cases. 

<§> * <§> <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> <§> ^ ® 

I must congratulate you upon the prompt and skillful service in which you 
have handled my Patent Vacuum Massage Device. I shal entrust my future 
business to your care. 

Thanking you for past favors, I am, 

A. L. Smith, Washington, D. C, 

I am well pleased in the way you handled my invention on Clevis, getting 
the patent filed in the Patent Office. You certainly handled it with efficiency 
and dispatch, and I will take pleasure in recommending you to anyone that 
needs the services of a patent attorney. 

E. L. Nichols, Roundup, Mont. 



48 Talbert & Talbert 

The minimum cost of an appeal to the board is $25, represent- 
ing the $10 Government fee, and $15, our Attorney's Fee, in 
usual cases. 

Appeal to the Commissioner of Patents 

From an adverse decision of the Board of Examiners-in-Chief 
appeal may be taken to the Commissioner of Patents. The 
cost of this appeal depends upon the character of the case 
under consideration, the Government fee being $20, and our 
minimum Attorney's Fee $20, depending on the difficult nature 
of the work. 

Appeal to the Court of Appeals of the District 

of Columbia 

From the decision of the Commissioner of Patents appeal 
may be taken to the Court of Appeals of the District of Colum- 
bia. In such an appeal the inventor must pay the docket fee 
of $15, and in addition must pay the cost of printing the tran- 
script of the entire record in the case, as well as our Attorney's 
Fee. 

IN CASES WE PREPARE AND PROSECUTE, APPEALS 
ARE RARELY NECESSARY, AND IN NO INSTANCE DO 
WE ADVISE APPEAL UNLESS WE FEEL CONFIDENT 
OF SUCCESS AND THERE APPEARS TO BE A DECIDED 
ADVANTAGE TO BE GAINED BY THE INVENTOR IF 
THE APPEAL IS WON. 

Interferences 

An interference is a proceeding instituted for the purpose of 
determining the priority between two or more parties claiming 
substantially the same patentable invention. 

Interferences are decided in favor of the inventor who proves 
that he was the first, of those cited, to display diligence in get- 
ting his idea before the public. 

^ <§> <§> <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> <§> <^ <§> 

I received my patent for my automatic door stop from you and I thank you 
very much for what you have done for me in getting my patent, and if I have 
any more of the same kind of work to do, I shall call on you. 

Chas. P. Thompson, Brockton, Mass. 

I received the Letters Patent and I thank you for your advice and infor- 
mation. 

You can rest assured that any work I need regarding the patent you will 
get it as I am perfectly satisfied with the way you get it through. 

C. Singerman, Somerville, Mass. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 49 

Various rules governing interference procedure are provided 
by the Patent Office, which, owing to their intricacy and purely 
technical nature, cannot be commented upon in a book of 
this size. There is no branch of Patent Office procedure which 
demands greater skill and care than does interference work, 
because of its importance and technical rules of procedure as 
well as the difficult questions of law frequently involved. 

Our fees in interference cases are subject to special contract. 

Infringements of Patents 

The subject of infringement of patents is such an extensive one 
that we cannot attempt to cover same in this publication. 
If you are interested to know whether a patent which you 
own is infringed, or whether you are infringing another's patent, 
you should write us and we will immediately take up the ques- 
tion with its particular associated circumstances and your 
interests in view. 

Patents for Compounds, Etc. 

Cleaning and polishing compounds, cements, metal alloys, 
soaps, leather dressings, fertilizers and medicines, hair dressings, 
cosmetics, ointments, and the like; in short, all useful liquid 
and solid mixtures may be patented. 

The minimum total cost of a patent in this class of cases is $70, 
$35 of which is the attorney's fee, and upon receipt of that 
amount, together with a statement of the quantity and name 
and particular purpose of each ingredient used and the 
manner of compounding same, as well as a statement of 
the use of the complete preparation, we prepare the applica- 
tion papers complete, and forward same for your approval and 
execution, to be returned to us with the first Government fee 
of $15. The final Government fee of $20 may be paid any 
time within six months from the date of allowance. 

Double protection and business advantage is secured by 

® <§> <§> <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> ^ <§> <§> <§> 

Please accept my thanks for your speedy work in obtaining my patent on 
Mail Box, for you certainly put it through on double quick time. And your 
fee was $20 less than other firms asked me for to obtain a patent. 

A. H. Haynes, Sissonville, W. Va. 

In replying to your letter of the %lth inst. will say your dealings with me 
have been highly satisfactory. There has never been any deviation from your 
original agreement with me from the filing of my application for a patent on 
my Clothes Line Tightener and Supporter until the patent was granted. Your 
terms are reasonable. J. M. Phelps, Quincy, III. 



50 Talbert & Talbert 

also adopting a trade-mark and registering the same in the 
United States Patent Office. 

Term of patent, seventeen years. 

Term of trade-mark, twenty years. 

We make an advance charge of $5 or more for searching 
the Patent Office records to determine the patentability of a 
compound. 

Design Patent 

The law authorizing the issue of design patents is very broad. 
These patents may be granted to any person, who, by his own 
industry, genius, and effort, has invented or produced 
any new and original design for a manufacture, bust, statue, 
altorelievo, or bas-relief; any new or original design for the 
printing of woolens, silk, cotton, or other fabrics; any new and 
original impression, ornament, pattern, print, or picture to be 
printed, painted, cast, or otherwise placed on or marked into 
any article of manufacture; or any new, useful, or original orna- 
mentation of any article of manufacture, the same not having 
been known or used by others before his invention or production 
thereof, or patented or described in any printed publication. 

All new designs should be protected. Design patents for 
the pattern of a machine, or designs on a machine, can be 
secured in addition to a mechanical patent for the machine 
itself. 

In a number of instances large business interests have been 
built up with a design patent as a basis. 

Design patents have been liberally construed by the courts. 
They hold that such a patent covers not only what is shown 

^ <^ ^ ^ <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> ^ <§> <§> ^ 

I consider that you have been very prompt in the handling of this case and 
I want to thank you for the excellent services you have rendered me throughout 
my dealings with you. 

The manner in which you prepared the application papers and drawings 
has also met with my hearty approval, and, as you know, I have already re- 
commended you to others who have placed their patent matters in your hands. 
They, too, are pleased with the service you have rendered them, 

M. L. Tewell, Pittsburg, Kans. 

I write to express my appreciation of the services rendered me in the prep- 
aration and prosecution of my application for patent on Truss Rod Buckle, 
invented by me. 

The promptness with which this application was handled has always been 
a source of much satisfaction to me, and I shall not hesitate to place my future 
inventions in your hands. Jas. Cerney, Jefferson Barracks, Mo. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C 



51 



! ■ ■»■ ■! i ll.l l II i i t!. I ■ [ ■ Ml iiii n iw-UHH!l il * l i» i i. li m i |W W U li J W KJUUBW 




dnAXAxb&t 



^JUneoo 



** v^/.^^- 



&«©«*« y» 



The above draw ing of design for Loving Cup is characteristic of the kind of matter which 
may be protected by U. S. Design Patent. 



52 Talbert & Talbert 

in the patent, but also those things which have a near enough 
resemblance to appear the same to ordinary observers. 

The total cost of a design patent, including Government 
and attorney's fees, and one sheet of drawing, is: 

Attorney's Government 

fee. Drawing. fee. Total. 

33^ years $25.00 $5.00 $10.00 $40.00 

7 years 25.00 5.00 15.00 45.00 

14 years 25.00 5.00 30.00 60.00 

Trade-Marks 

The Trade-Mark Law passed by Congress, and which went 
into effect April 1, 1905, makes it imperative for every one who 
values the protection of his trade-mark to register under this 
law. 

Under its terms, all trade-marks, whether registered at 
Washington or a bureau, must be re-registered at Washington 
in order to obtain protection under the law. 

Heretofore injunctions of courts did not apply outside the 
immediate section where they were granted. Under the above 
law, an injunction once secured in any Federal court extends 
its force throughout every State and Territory in the Union. 

It is further provided that before granting registration the 
Commissioner shall cause the trade-mark to be published at 
least once in the Official Gazette of the Patent Office, and any 
person who believes that he would be damaged by the regis- 
tration may oppose the same by filing notice of opposition, 
stating the ground thereof within thirty days after the publica- 
tion of the mark sought to be registered. 

The latter provision enables the true owner of the trade-mark 
to prevent his right to its exclusive use from being jeopardized 
by the registration of the same or a similar mark by an applicant 
who may not be entitled to registration. 

<§> <§> <§> <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> <§> <§> <§> 

It is certainly gratifying to me to have placed my case in your hands and 
I feel that any person desiring the services of competent and courteous attorneys 
cannot make a mistake in sending their work to you. 

I heartily congratulate your able firm on the great success you have achieved 
for me in procuring for me the patent rights on such a valuable device. 

J. F. Watts, Jackson, Miss. 

I was very much pleased to receive my patent for paring knife, and am well 
satisfied with your work. I have other patent matters to send you in a short 
time, 

Mrs. F. A, Stevens, Silver Lane, Conn. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 53 

The right of appeal is provided, the same as in the case of 
applications for patents, from an adverse decision of the Exam- 
iner of Trade-Marks or the Examiner of Interferences, as the 
case may be, to the Commissioner in person, and from the Com- 
missioner to the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia. 

The life of a certificate of registration is changed from thirty 
years to twenty years, but the certificate of registration may 
be renewed from time to time upon certain conditions, and upon 
the payment of the required fee. The Government fee for 
registration is $10. 

Registration will afford prima facie evidence of ownership, 
and any person using any registered trade-mark without the 
consent of the owner thereof will be liable for damages, and 
on the rendition of a verdict for the plaintiff, the court, in its 
discretion, may enter judgment for three times the amount of 
such verdict. 

The above law affords additional remedies and more complete 
and adequate protection, and in order to give the owners of 
trade-marks previously registered the enlarged benefits under 
the above law, the act makes provision for the re-registration of 
said trade-marks upon payment of the fees. 

Provision is made for the first time for registering trade- 
marks used solely in interstate commerce, and the above law 
is so far-reaching and complete in its protection to lawful trade- 
mark owners that registration of a trade symbol or mark will 
prove of great value from a commercial standpoint. 

A trade-mark may consist of any non-descriptive word or 
words, sign, symbol, picture, autograph, monogram, or any 
combination of any or all of them. Descriptive words cannot 
be registered. For instance: "Washing Soap" or "Can Corn" 
could not be registered, but descriptive words combined 
with non-descriptive words may be registered; thus, "Eureka 

^ <§> ® <$> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> # <§> <§> <§> 

Please accept thanks for your very prompt and liberal service in securing 
patent. You have stuck to your promise and your service has been very 
satisfactory. E. E. Lucas. 

I am glad to know that through your earnest efforts the Government has 
allowed me a patent for my invention, Improvements in Razors. 

I wish to thank you for the part you have taken in this matter and I promise 
you I shall always speak a good word in your favor whenever I have the oppor- 
tunity. 

Any patent business I may have in the future I shall entrust in your care, 

L. E. — Cincinnati, Ohio. 



54 Talbert & Talbert 

Washing Soap" and "Excelsior Can Corn" are properly 
registerable. 

Sometimes words which are descriptive are combined in 
a single word and phonetically or fancifully spelled, and in 
such cases they usually constitute a valid trade-mark, but it 
is the figure or emblem that makes the mark valid. A word 
can be adopted for the trade-mark which is suggestive, but 
not descriptive, and this is often the best kind of a mark for 
particular kinds of goods. The mere name of the applicant can 
not be registered, but his name, together with a device or design, 
etc., is entitled to registration. Geographical names can not 
be trade-marked. 

A trade-mark need not be new or original, but it should be 
new to the purpose to which it is applied. Thus a trade-mark 
on "The Rising Sun," applied to flour, would not prevent the 
registration of the same words as applied to stove polish. 

Persons desiring to know whether certain words or devices 
can be registered should send us a copy or description of the 
mark and the class of merchandise on which it is used, including 
a particular description of the goods comprised in such class. 
We will then make a search of the trade-mark records in the 
United States Patent Office and send a full report of the result 
of the examination. 

In order that we may be enabled to prepare the application 
papers we should be furnished with the name of the owner, 
and if a firm be the proprietor, the names of the individual 
members thereof, their residences, and places of business. Five 
specimens of the trade-mark as used must be filed with the 
specification and drawings in the United States Patent Office. 
The right to the use of a trade-mark is assignable in writing and 
such assignment should be recorded in the Patent Office. We 
prepare these assignments, the cost of preparation and recording 
being $5. 

Cost of Trade-Mark 

The Government fee in each case is $10, while our fee, includ- 
ing one sheet of drawings and the preparation of the necessary 
papers, is $£0. 

*Z ~ <§> ^> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> <§> <§> <§> 

I find it hard for me to express in words the deep feeling of gratitude and 
thanks for the business courtesy and very evident friendship you have shown 
me in the handling of my application for patent. 

You may rest assured, Gentlemen, that all my future patent business will 
be placed in your hands, as I could not ask for better treatment from my own 
brother, M. J. Frost, Jesup % Iowa. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C 



55 




K 



Arrow 

Collars 



pA^ <§& 



> 





fleolin 

Better than Leather 

Nujol 



*>&■ 





Reproductions of a Few Well- Known Trade Marks 



56 Talbert & Talbert 

Trade-Mark Must be Used Continuously 

A trade-mark is good only so long as it is used, and it must 
be used continuously by the owner in business, and the owner 
must have for sale the goods bearing the mark. 

Copyrights 

The author, inventor, designer, or proprietor of a book, 
map, chart, dramatical or musical composition, engraving, 
cut, print, photograph, or negative thereof, or of a painting, 
drawing, chromo, statue, statuary, or of a model or design, 
and the executors, administrators or assigns of any such person, 
may obtain a copyright therefor; and such authors, inventors, 
designers, or proprietors, and their assigns, shall have the 
exclusive right to produce, dramatize and translate any of their 
works for which copyright shall have been obtained under the 
laws of the United States. 

To obtain a copyright, the application must be filed with the 
Librarian of Congress on or soon after the day of publication, 
and two copies of the article or book must be delivered to the 
Librarian at the time of filing application. 

Our entire charge for obtaining a copyright is $10. Copy- 
rights, like mechanical patents, may be assigned to another 
party, and our charge for preparing and recording such assign- 
ment is $5. 

The term of a copyright is twenty-eight years. If the work 
to be copyrighted is in manuscript form and requires prepara- 
tion before being filed with the Register of Copyrights, our 
charge for preparation will depend upon the amount of work 
required. 

Write us freely for information in regard to your particular 
case. 

Labels and Prints 

Labels and prints for every kind of article of manufacture 
may be secured to the proprietor thereof by registration in the 
Patent Office if they are the result of that degree of intellectual 
labor contemplated by the constitution and the copyright laws. 

<& <& <§> <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> ^ <§► <& 

Your favor of October 20, enclosing notice of allowance in the matter of my 
Railroad Joint which was filed July 24, 1916, and allowed October 18, 1916, 
two months and twenty-four days from the date of filing, has been received. 

I feel grateful in having placed my case in your hands. I must congratu- 
late you upon the prompt and skillful manner in which you handled same. 

V. M. Lamb, ML Airy, N. C. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 57 

A print is a pictorial illustration designed to be used for 
articles of manufacture to serve as an advertisement thereof. 
Prints may be impressed or stamped upon articles of manu- 
facture, or upon a piece of paper to be attached to such articles, 
or to bottles, boxes, or packages containing them. 

Labels consist of devices or words intended to indicate the 
things to which they are attached. Both prints and labels, in 
order to be entitled to registry, must be intellectual productions 
in the degree required by the copyright law. 

Under the rules of the Patent Office, a print or label cannot 
be registered if it bears a device capable of application as a trade- 
mark until after such device is registered as a trade-mark. 

Our charge for effecting registration of a label or print is 
$20 which includes the Government fee of $6. We should be 
supplied with ten copies of the label or print to be registered. 

USEFUL FACTS ABOUT PATENTS 

There are certain useful and important facts relating to the legal rights 
of patentees which most attorneys fail in their literature to set forth, and 
we give a number of such facts here for our patrons. 

If an invention is protected by patent in one country it cannot be manu- 
factured in another country and imported, sold or used without license 
from the patentee. 

The law requires that a manufactured article, if patented, must be so 
marked, and the customary manner of marking is to follow the word "pat- 
ented" by the date of the patent. No legal right exists permitting the use 
of the mark "patented" before the patent is actually issued. Official noti- 
fication that an application for patent is "allowed" does not therefore 
convey this right. 

The law attaches a penalty of $100 for each offense for the fraudulent 
use of the mark "patented." 

If an application for patent is on file, but not allowed, the invention 
must bear the mark "patent pending" or "patent applied for" if manu- 
factured and sold. 

<§> ^ * <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> ® <§> <§> 

Your most appreciated letter with the official notice of allowance on my 
N on- Refillable Bottle received, and in reply wish to extend my many thanks 
also that it has been more than gratifying to me to know I was able to have the 
right kind of attorneys to execute my case in the United States Patent Office 
and obtaining an early allowance for me. 

S. R. M. Malloch, Phila., Pa. 

Your letter just received, with the patent allowance. You have certainly 
done great work. 

I wrote to four different patent attorneys in Washington before I saw your 
advertisement, but after I received a letter from you I liked your way the best 
and am certainly glad that I put it in your hands. Anyone wishing to know 
about your handling cases I would only be too glad to answer any letters and 
tell them the good work you have done for me. 

Josiah Reynolds, South Lakewood, N. J. 



58 Talbert & Talbert 

A license cannot be transferred unless the instrument itself embodied 
a stipulation making it transferable. 

No one has the right to make a patented device without authority from 
the patentee, even though the maker would construct the machine solely 
for his private use and not for sale. 

After a patent has expired it cannot be renewed, except by act of Con- 
gress. 

A reissue is one granted to the original patentee, his legal representa- 
tives, or the assignee of the entire interest, when the original patent is 
invalid or inoperative by reason of a defective or insufficient specification, 
or by reason of the patentee claiming as his invention or discovery more 
than he had a right to claim as new, provided the error arose through inad- 
vertence, accident or mistake, and without any fraudulent or deceptive 
intention. Matter shown and described in an unexpired patent, and which 
might have been lawfully claimed therein, but which was not claimed by 
reason of a defect or insufficiency in the specification, arising from inad- 
vertence, accident or mistake, and without fraud and deceptive intent, can- 
not be subsequently claimed by the patentee in a separate patent, but only 
in a reissue of the original. 

(These facts relative to reissue of patents are set forth at length, in view 
of the common mistake made by inventors in construing a reissue to mean 
an extension of the patent.) 

A patent cannot issue to a deceased inventor, but to his legal repre- 
sentative. 

inventions of deceased inventors may be patented by the legal repre- 
sentative making application therefor in due form. 

An abandoned application is no bar to a new application for the same 
invention by the same applicant. 

When one of several distinct inventions described and shown in an appli- 
cation is not claimed therein, the issue of a patent on such application 
presumptively dedicates the unclaimed invention to the public. 

After an applicant has himself prosecuted his application to final rejec- 
tion and has then placed it in the hands of an attorney, the examiner will 
be warranted in re-opening the case for the admission and consideration 
of substitute specifications apparently presented in good faith and for the 
purpose of securing for the inventor that to which the attorney believes 
him entitled. 

One who employs another to make an invention for him does not thereby 

♦ <§> <§> <§> T" TESTIMONIALS ® » » <§> <§> 

We have given your address to Mr. Chester Guild, 4<th, R. F. D. No. 3, 
Concord, N. H., who wanted to know the address of a Patent Attorney. 

I suggest that you get in touch with him and give him particulars of your 
service. 

He is a subscriber to the New England Homestead. 

ORA NGE J UDD COMPA NY, 
Thos. A. Barrett, Manager in New York. 

1 wrote you some time ago expressing my hearty approval of the service you 
rendered me in securing patent on my Aerial Toy. 

I now want to thank you for having also secured the allowance of applica- 
tion for patent on my second invention placed in your hands. 

You surely deserve praise for your good work. I never lose sight of an 
opportunity to speak a good word for your firm. 

Wishing you continued success, I am, Joao Tosta, Lowell, Mass. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 59 

become entitled to apply for and receive a patent on the invention, what- 
ever may be his equitable rights in the invention and patent of his employee. 

Invention does not lie in an abstract idea of the desirability of uniting 
several old machines into one, but in conceiving definitely of a single organ- 
ized and complete machine containing a combination of instrumentalities 
which perform the several functions of the old machine. 

An application for a patent to be issued to joint inventors must be signed 
and sworn to by all the inventors and an application for such a patent 
made by only one of such inventors cannot be entertained, even although 
the other of such inventors already has a sole patent for the same invention 
and refuses to join in a joint application. 

Two may properly take out a patent as joint inventors when one of 
them originated the leading principles and the other exercised inventive 
talent in perfecting it. 

An inventor may adopt minor improvements in his invention, which 
are suggested by another, and the latter does not thereby acquire any 
interest in the invention. 

The Patent Office cannot permit the record of an application once filed 
to be in any way altered by so radical a measure as the removal of one of 
its parts, as by the transfer of drawings, to a substituted application. 

When all the parts of an application except the fee have been deposited 
in the Patent Office, they will not be returned to the applicant. 

Patent will, ssue jointly to an assignee and applicant when the latter 
so requests in the recorded assignment. 

An assignment regular on its face and regularly recorded must be con- 
sidered an absolute assignment until cancelled upon the written consent 
of both parties, or upon the decree of a competent court. 

In order to give an employer a right to an invention of an employee, on 
the ground that the latter was employed to invent it for the benefit of the 
former, it must very clearly appear that such was the condition of the 
employment. 

If a person once conceives the main idea of an improvement, valuable 
minor results contributed by a workman in reducing the invention to 
practice without rejecting the original idea and proceeding upon a wholly 
distinct and separate plan, belong to the former as a part of his invention. 

When all that is new and patentable in a device is embodied by an em- 
ployee at the express direction of the employer and according to his ideas, 
the invention is that of the employer. 

It is a well-established principle that an inventor has the right to em- 

^> # <§> <§> <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> <§> <§> <§> 

1 acknowledge receipt of your letter of September £0, 1916, advising me thai 
you have procured favorable action from the United States Patent Office in 
the matter of my Hair Cutter. 

This is indeed gratifying and I want to thank you for the good work and 
services you have rendered me in the preparation and prosecution of this case, 

I am glad to say that this invention is now upon the market and has proven 
very successful, which success has encouraged me with other inventions, one 
of which I have recently placed vnth you. G. J. Carlisle, Chicago, III. 

I am certainly more than pleased in the way you handle patent matters for 
your clients, and I surely am thankful to you for getting patent on game ap- 
paratus for me in so short a time. 

RufusB. Smith, Akron, Ohio. 

Mr. Smith has since placed another case in our hands. 



60 Ta lbert & Talbert ^^ 

ploy the mechanical skill of others to carry out his ideas without forfeiting 
his right to the invention. 

An earlier conceiver, by merely making a model and showing it to some 
persons, afterward doing nothing more, does not give or abandon the 
invention to the world so as to deprive a subsequent conceiver of his right 
to a patent. 

The prompt filing of an application is evidence that a reduction to prac- 
tice was successful. 

An inventor who, after reducing his invention to practice, deliberately 
conceals it from the public, is not entitled to a patent as against one who 
during such concealment has independently invented the same thing and 
has patented it in good faith and in ignorance of the fact of invention 
by the first party. 

He who merely suggests that an invention may be made and furnishes 
the means to do it is not the inventor as against the mechanic who devises 
the practical method of making the invention. 

He who employs an old device in a new or modified way to produce a 
new and useful result must be regarded as an inventor. 

Where one is first to conceive an invention, but throws aside all evidence 
of the conception, makes no effort to complete or introduce the invention 
to the public, and delays making application for a patent until another 
has brought it into extensive use, has no standing as an inventor. 

The law does not look with favor upon a party who withholds the knowl- 
edge of his invention from the public by a negligent postponement of hii 
claim until others have made and introduced the same. 

He is the real inventor and entitled to the patent who first brings the 
machine to perfection and makes it capable of useful operation, although 
others may have previously had the idea and made some experiment toward 
putting it in practice. 

The Value of Attorneys 

The inventor will see the advantage to be derived from 
placing his business in the hands of only those who are specially 
skilled in patent work and its numerous branches. 

The inventor should never endeavor to prepare his own 
application. He is apt to leave valuable features of his in- 

^ <§> <§> ® <§> TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> <§► <§> <§> 

Your favor of October 29, enclosing notice of allowance in the matter of my 
Saw Setting Tool, which was filed August 9, 1915, and allowed October 27, 
1915, just one month and eighteen days from the date of filing, has been re- 
ceived. 

It is certainly gratifying to me to have placed my case in your hands, and 
I feel that any person desiring the services of competent and courteous at- 
torneys cannot make a mistake in sending their work to you. 

J. M. Murphy, Tellico Plains, Tenn. 

I am in receipt of U. S. Patent No. 1,147, 943 which you obtained for me 
on Faucet. Am much pleased with the way you have drawn up the claims on 
the invention and think you have given me a strong legal patent. 

Thanking you for the work you have done in getting this, I am, 

Chas. M. Hoffman, Lebanon, N. H. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 61 

vention unclaimed, and attach undue importance to some 
immaterial feature. Although he may have a good education, 
and a quick perception, and some knowledge of patent matters* 
he cannot have the necessary experience to insure absolute 
accuracy. This work should be done by a skilled and experi- 
enced patent lawyer. A claim properly drawn may mean 
wealth to the inventor, whereas one improperly drawn generally 
means the total loss of the invention. 

So important are the services of a reliable, trustworthy, and 
skillful attorney to inventors, that the Commissioner of Patents 
has, in the "Rules of Practice," issued this general warning: 
"As the value of patents depends largely upon the careful 
preparation of the specification and claims, the assistance 
of a competent counsel will, in most cases, be of advantage to 
the applicant, but the value of their services will be propor- 
tionate to their skill and honesty, and too much care cannot 
be exercised in their selection." 

How to Send Money 

In remitting to us always register letters containing money 
in the form of bills and fractional currency. Money orders, 
bank drafts, express orders, and personal checks are the safest 
methods of transmitting payments when letters are not 
registered. Never enclose remittances with models, as there 
is great risk of same being lost in transit. Make all checks 
payable to Talbert & Talbert. If these suggestions are followed, 
the safe delivery of money to us is almost guaranteed. 

Danger in Delays 

The inventor who has carefully read the foregoing pages 
can scarcely fail to realize that Delays in Patents Matters are 
often Dangerous as they discourage diligence on the part of 
the inventor and encourage diligence on the part of rival in- 
ventors or unscrupulous parties. 

If you have conceived a new patentable idea you owe it to 
yourself and perhaps to those dependent upon you to Protect 
That Idea. You should therefore arrange with us at once 
to take up your case and to see that you receive the fullest 
protection to which you may be entitled. 



62 Talbert & Talbert 



PATENTS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES 

THE United States Patent Laws apparently contemplate 
that an invention patented here is also worthy of pro- 
tection abroad, in the principal countries at least. In 
many countries a Patent obtained after the invention is patented 
elsewhere is invalid and worthless. For this reason it is of 
vital consequence that Foreign Patents be applied for 
before the final Government fee, for the United States Patent, 
is paid into the Patent Office. 

In many instances the foreign patents secured on inventions 
originally patented in this country have proven of equal or 
greater value than the United States Patents. 

This is only natural when one considers that the population 
of the United States represents only a small portion of the 
world's population and that many inventions in demand here 
are just as much in demand in other countries. 

If you value your idea you should fully protect it in every 
country in which it is at all likely to become successful. 

Our laws provide a period of six months after your appli- 
cation is allowed at any time within which the final Govern- 
ment fee may be paid, thus enabling you to complete financial 
arrangements for the taking out of valid Foreign Patents. 
Your allowed United States application is held secret until 
the final Government fee is paid, so that no one can apply in 
foreign countries ahead of you. 

For the convenience of inventors the countries foremost in 
importance are treated here and approximate costs for simple 
cases are quoted. The costs naturally vary in accordance 
with the sheets of drawing required and the nature of the case. 

All prices here quoted are based on one sheet of drawing. 
If more than one sheet of drawing is necessary we will quote 
our most reasonable charge for that particular case. 

Canada 

Owing to the close proximity of Canada to the United 
States and the brisk and augmenting commercial intercourse 
between the two peoples, every inventor should avail himself 
of the great advantage to be gained by taking out a Canadian 
Patent. 

Canada embraces the provinces of British Columbia, Nova 
Scotia, Prince Edward's Island, Manitoba, Ontario, New 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 63 

Brunswick, and the Northwest Territory, a vast domain 
greater in area than the United States. 

The whole outlay required to secure a Canadian Patent is 
$45 (if not more than one sheet of drawing is required), which 
includes the Government tax, agency, and all charges for the 
patent. 

Important. — Unless you can file your application in Canada 
within three months from date of your United States Patent 
you should not fail to lodge a "Notice of Intention to Apply." 
Otherwise you can not stop anyone who commenced the 
manufacture of your invention in Canada before issuance of 
Patent there. For the preparation and filing of the Notice 
our charge is $10. We would advise that you file application 
for Patent within three months from issue of United States 
Patent, and thereby save the cost of the notice. The sooner 
you file the better. 

England 

The commercial importance of England is such that no 
intelligent person can fail to comprehend the momentous 
benefits to be realized from patenting a meritorious inven- 
tion there. The English capitalist is quick to invest liberally, 
because he well knows the ready recognition of the skill of 
our inventors in all portions of the world. 

An English Patent covers England, Scotland, Ireland, 
Wales, and the Isle of Man, aggregating a population of nearly 
40,000,000. 

The total cost is $70 before issuance of United States Patent 
and $80 after issuance thereof; which charges include the 
Government fee. 

Provisional protection endures for six months, and may 
be obtained under the English Patent laws. Total cost, $25. 
To file application complete after provisional protection and 
obtain Patent, $50. Term, fourteen years. 

<§> <§> <§> <§> <§> TESTIMON IALS <§> <§> <§> <§> <§> 

I wish to express my appreciation of the prompt and efficient service you 
have rendered me in preparing and prosecuting my two applications for 
patent. 

The way you have handled my cases leaves nothing to be desired, and I 
gladly recommend you to other inventors who are seeking the services of a 
thoroughly reliable firm of patent attorneys. 

Wishing you continued success, and assuring you of my future patent 
business, I am, G. F. Kopp, Pittsfield, Mass. 



64 Talbert & Talbert 



France and Colonies 

$60. — The term of a French patent is fifteen years, and 
includes Algeria, Senegal, French Soudan, Dahomey, French 
Congo, Madagascar, French Indo China, Martinique, Guade- 
loupe, French Guiana, New Caledonia, Tahiti, etc. Next to 
England in value to the patentee is France. Her manufac- 
turers are enterprising and quick to appreciate and adopt 
inventions of American origin. 

Germany and Colonies 

$70. — The term of a German patent is fifteen years. Ger- 
man design patent, term three years, $35; extension for three 
years longer, $30. German patents include Germany, Ger- 
man East and South West Africa, Kameron and Togo Land, 
German Papua, Bismarck, Archipelago, Caroline Islands, 
Kiou-Chui, etc. We do not recommend the filing of patent 
applications in Germany, while the present state of war with 
this country exists. Mail transportation to and from Germany 
is very uncertain and her attitude toward American inventors 
cannot, at this time, be definitely determined. 

Belgium 

The cost of a Belgian patent is $30; term, twenty years. 
Write us for latest information concerning the patent situation 
in this country. 

Denmark, $70; term, fifteen years. 

Norway, $70; term, fifteen years. 

Sweden, $70; term, fifteen years. 

Switzerland, $60; term, fifteen years. 

Portugal, $75 ; term, fifteen years. 

Spain, $65; term, twenty years. 

Italy, $65; term, fifteen years. Write us for latest informa- 
tion concerning the patent situation in this country. 

^ ^ 5 ~ # TESTIMONIALS <§> <§> <§><§> <§> 

I am perfectly satisfied with everything you have done for me in the handling 
of all of my cases. 

In the matter of my Picker Stick Check Device, you will recall that the 
patent was issued to me on October 5. 

In the other two cases I appreciate the fact that you are doing your best, 
and I know that if it is possible to secure patents you will do so. 

I hope to do a lot more business with you in the future. 

J. F. Vaillancourt, Fall River, Mass. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 65 



Russia 

The cost of a Russian patent is $90; term, fifteen years. A 
valid patent can be obtained in Russia after the issue of the 
United States patent. The Russian Empire includes Russia, 
Poland and Siberia, and covers the enormous territory of 
10,000,000 square miles. Its population is three times that of 
any European country. Russia is a continent in itself, and 
has always been looked upon as one of the most prominent fields 
for American inventors. Write us for latest information con- 
cerning the patent situation in this country. 

Hungary, $70; term, fifteen years. Write us for latest in- 
formation concerning the patent situation in this country. 

Austria, $70; term, fifteen years. Write us for latest in- 
formation concerning the patent situation in this country. 

Turkey, $100; term, fifteen years. Write us for latest in- 
formation concerning the patent situation in this country. 

Mexico 

The cost of a Mexican patent is $75; term, twenty years. 
America is now connected with all parts of Mexico by rail, 
and our commercial relations are therefore very close. Great 
progress has been made in Mexico of late and a great number 
of factories are located there. Patents on mining machinery 
are especially valuable. 

Asia 

India, $75; term, fourteen years. 

The patent covers all of British India, including Burmah; 
population, 800,000,000. The application should be filed 
within one year of the issue of the United States patent. 

Ceylon, $125; term, fourteen years. 

Empire of China, $70. 

Japan, $100; term, fifteen years. 

® J J J J TESTIMONIALS J 5 J J J 

I write to express my thorough appreciation of the excellent service you 
have rendered me in the preparation and successful prosecution of my two 
applications for patents on Adjustable Wrenches invented by me. 

I have found you prompt and reliable from the very start. You have lived 
up to the letter of every promise you have ever made me, and you may\rest 
assured that all of my future patent business will be placed in your\hands. 

Anton Hulthin, Brooklyn, N. F. 



66 Talbert & Talbert 



Africa 

Cape Colony, $110; term, fourteen years. 

Natal, $90; term, fourteen years. 

Egypt, $80; term, same as applicant's United States Patent. 

Central America 

Honduras, $175; term, ten years. 

Nicaragua, $175; term five to ten years. 

Costa Rica, $135; term, same as United States Patent. 

West Indies 

Cuba, $90; term, seventeen years. 
Jamaica, $150. 
Trinidad, $170. 
Barbados, $100. 
Bahama Islands, $150. 

South America 

Brazil, $125; term, fifteen years. 

Argentine Republic — Patents are granted for five, ten, and 
fifteen years; cost for five years, $80. 

Chili, $200; term, ten years. 

Peru, $200; term, ten years. 

United States of Columbia — Cost for ten year patent, 
$175. 

The Australian Commonwealth 

The Australian colonies of Victoria, New South Wales, 
Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and West Australia 
have been formed into a commonwealth. One patent only 
is necessary now, where six formerly were required. The 
cost of the new Commonwealth patent, which is granted for 
fourteen years, is $95. An inventor cannot afford to neglect 
to secure a patent in the Australian Commonwealth, as the 
country is progressive and rich. On account of the gold and 
copper mining industries the population is rapidly increasing. 
Coal, iron, tin and other mineral wealth abound. The pro- 
duction of wool is greater than that of any other country 
in the world. Immense tracts of land are being opened to 
cultivation and settlement. The increasing activity demands the 
introduction of inventions and labor-saving devices and systems 
of every character. The prosperity of Australia is evidenced 
by the fact that the standard of living and the consumption 
of commodities per capita are the highest in the world. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 67 



New Zealand 

The cost of a patent in New Zealand is $70; term, fourteen 
years. The same progressiveness and commercial activity 
are apparent in New Zealand as in the Australian Common- 
wealth. 

Combination Rates 

By special arrangements with our foreign agents, we are 
able to offer reduced rates when applications in two or more 
countries are filed at the same time. The following groups 
of countries have been specially selected with a view of re- 
ducing the total cost to the minimum, and a comparison of 
the charges named with those for the same countries singly 
will show the saving to the applicant: 

Great Britain, France, Belgium and Canada 190 

France, Italy and Belgium 140 

Great Britain, Italy, France and Canada 220 

Sweden, Norway and Denmark 190 

Canada and Mexico 100 

The charges quoted in the above list include the total cost 
of securing patents in the respective countries. We wish to 
state with emphasis that the figures quoted include all costs, 
without any extra charge whatever for securing the foreign 
patents, including our fee, Government fees, drawings, etc. We 
make this statement because our charges are considerably lower 
than those asked by others, and our clients are continually 
asking us if our fees cover the total cost for foreign patents. 

General Instructions 

Select thercountry or countries in which you want a patent, 
and remit $5 for each country named. We will then send 
you application papers for approval and execution, according 
to the schedule of prices; or, if you prefer, send the full amount 
in the first remittance. 

In some countries an important exception to the rule that 
Foreign Patents must be applied for before issue of United 
States Patent, occurs when the United States Patent has issued 
early enough to admit of the filing of foreign cases within 
twelve months of the date of filing of the United States 
case. 

Also, issue of a Foreign Patent in these countries before 
applying in the United States will not invalidate United States 



68 Talbert & Talbert 

Patent if application is filed within twelve months from 
date on which foreign application was filed. 

Trade-Marks in Foreign Countries 

Trade-marks can be registered in foreign countries having 
treaties with the United States. The usual cost of procuring 
trade-marks in foreign countries is as follows: 

Great Britain $50.00 

♦Germany 35.00 

France 85.00 

♦Austria 35.00 

♦Russia 55.00 

Italy 40.00 

Spain 40.00 

♦Belgium 35.00 

Norway 40.00 

Sweden 40.00 

Denmark 40.00 

Switzerland 35.00 

Canada 40.00 

Important 

Patents may be procured in practically every country on the 
globe but we have listed in this section only the most important 
of those countries — those in which the greatest number of 
patents are applied for. 

If you are interested in securing patents in any countries 
not included in this list, do not hesitate to write us for infor- 
mation concerning the cost of patents in those countries, and 
their patent laws. 

♦ Write us for latest information concerning the Trade Mark situation 
in these countries. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 69 

i 

OUR SERVICE TO THE INVENTOR 

The Sale and Promotion of Patents 

THE question uppermost in the mind of practically every 
inventor is "How am I to derive financial benefit from my 
invention after I secure my patent?" 
This is only natural as the incentive which spurs most 
persons to inventive activity is the chance of rich financial 
reward such as has been won by many another inventor, and 
is always waiting to be claimed by the inventor of some success- 
ful and needed new device or improvement of merit and utility. 
It is perhaps safe to say that ordinarily not one inventor in 
a hundred has the remotest idea of the methods usually em- 
ployed in 

Turning Patents into Cash 

and we hope to throw sufficient light on the subject to enable 
inventors to realize that there is no secret about it — that 
there is an enormous and constant demand for inventions and 
that every inventor has an equal chance of disposing of his 
patent if his invention possesses sufficient merit and is properly 
brought to the attention of those persons most likely to be 
interested in its purchase. 

Many inventors make the mistake of attempting to sell 
their invention before even applying for a patent thereon. 
Nothing could be more futile or dangerous, as we have yet to 
make the acquaintance of a reputable concern which would 
think of investing its money in any invention until applica- 
tion for patent has either been filed in the Patent Office, or 
definitely allowed and patent actually issued. 

Such a step would be as foolish as purchasing a piece of real 
estate without first having the title guaranteed by an expert 
in such matters. 

Aside from the danger you run, of having your unprotected 
invention stolen from you, it is positively a waste of good time 
and effort on your part to attempt to sell your invention before 
your application for patent has been filed in the Patent Office. 

Having a keen interest in the success of our clients who have 
become possessed of patents through our efforts, we have 
made an exhaustive study to ascertain the most effective 
course to be pursued by inventors in order, if possible, to make 
an advantageous sale of their patents. After considering a large 
number of ways of bringing a patented ^invention to the atten- 



70 Talbert & Talbert 

tion of prospective buyers, we have reached the conclusion 
that this end can be most quickly and easily reached by two 
methods which stand head and shoulders above all others, 
that have been considered. 

First. Personal presentation of the invention by the in- 
ventor to those manufacturers, financiers, and other persons 
known to be interested in devices of the class covered by the 
inventor's patent, and in whom the inventor has full confidence, 
such confidence to be based on the well-known business reputa- 
tion of the parties. As a rule, an inventor will find these classes 
of people very receptive, and always willing to consider the 
purchase of protective improvements in devices, which will 
enable them to produce their wares more cheaply, or of better 
quality, as they thereby secure a monopoly of a cheaper, 
superior, or improved article in the competitive fight for 
business. 

Second. That of conducting correspondence with estab- 
lished manufacturers who produce articles of the class to 
which the patent relates. This course is extremely advan- 
tageous to inventors who feel that they do not possess sufficient 
qualifications to properly present their inventions by personal 
solicitation and who do not feel inclined to trust others with 
such an important duty. A properly worded letter addressed 
to a responsible manufacturer, setting forth the practical and 
meritorious advantages of the patent, together with a copy of 
said patent, will most invariably demand attention. 

In this connection our clients have at their disposal the ser- 
vices of our Advertising Department to assist them at slight 
cost in the proper preparation of forceful, convincing letters or 
printed matter for use in approaching prospective purchasers. 

Approaching Your Purchaser 

In some instances it is necessary, in presenting an invention 
for consideration, to submit a complete working model of the 
device so that its operation may be fully demonstrated. 

Frequently, however, a blue print of the original drawing, 
such as we furnish free to our clients, and a copy of the specifica- 
tion and claims as filed in the Patent Office or, if patent has 
issued, a printed copy of the patent, is all that will be required. 
Inventors are especially cautioned against submitting rough, 
unprofessional looking sketches and vaguely written descrip- 
tions to prospective purchasers, as in all probability they would 
not be considered and might injure their chances of possible 
future business. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 71 

Genius and business ability do not, as a rule, travel hand in 
hand, hence we seldom discover inventors, artists, authors, 
etc., possessed of the business ability which must usually be 
injected into any undertaking before it becomes a financial 
success. 

It is for this reason that we have undertaken to aid our clients 
in disposing of their patent, if possible, and now offer the hearty 
cooperation and assistance of our competent organization in 
assisting clients to properly present their patented inventions 
to those manufacturers, promoters and others whom we deem 
most likely to consider their purchase. 

The greater part of this service is rendered gratis to our 
clients, in the hope that many of them will be successful in 
disposing of their patents to the utmost profit and advantage 
to themselves, but is not intended in any way as representing 
that we guarantee the sale or disposal of inventions on which 
we secure U. S. Patent. 

We have already been instrumental in enabling clients to 
dispose of their patents and we are constantly adding to our 
list of manufacturers and others who desire to consider for 
purchase patents secured by us. In one month (March, 1916) 
we received nearly one hundred requests for patents from 
manufacturers, dealers, etc., throughout the country. 

Usual Terms of Purchase 

Various manufacturers offer various terms of payment for 
inventions which they consider available for their use. 

Sometimes the patent on an invention is bought outright 
for a stipulated cash consideration and the inventor relinquishes 
all his rights in and to his invention. 

Frequently the manufacturer agrees to make and sell the 
invention and to pay the inventor a royalty or percentage on 
each article sold. This is the best plan if the invention proves 
to be a commercial success and finds a ready, steady sale. 

Perhaps the inventor may go into partnership with others to 
make and sell his invention, in which case he assigns his patent 
to the partnership in exchange for a stipulated interest or share 
in the business. 

^ A popular plan is to organize a Stock Company or Corpora- 
tion, in which case the inventor usually receives stock in 
exchange for his patent. If the concern becomes successful, 
this stock may become very valuable and yield substantial 
cash dividends. Many of the huge corporations of today had 
as their foundation some meritorious invention which was 
properly protected by U. S. patent, for example, The American 



72 Talbert & Talbert 

Telephone and Telegraph Co., The Victor Talking Machine 
Co., The Ford Motor Co., The Mergenthaler Co., The Lanston 
Monotype Co., and many others. 

Still other inventors, especially where their invention consists 
of some simple, inexpensive device, have found it profitable to 
do their own manufacturing, and either entrust the selling to 
some sales organization or handle that, too, themselves. For- 
tunes are being made on simple patented novelties and special- 
ties which may be manufactured at low cost and sold at from 
25 cents to $5.00, at a large profit, and there is always a steady 
demand for such inventions if possessing sufficient merit. 

Our Lists of Patent Buyers 

It is part of our regular business routine to keep in touch 
with manufacturers, promoters, investors and other likely 
purchasers of patents in order to have on hand at all times a 
list of parties who have actually signified in writing their 
desire to consider patented inventions for possible purchase. 

This list of Patent Buyers is an ever-increasing one and its 
possible value to our clients cannot easily be overlooked by 
the inventor who desires assurance of real, earnest sales-help 
after the issue of his patent. 

After we have filed your application in the Patent Office, we 
will send you, upon request, a copy of this general list of patent 
buyers, being names and addresses of firms who have either 
corresponded with us relative to the purchase of patents, or 
whose names, as such, we have been able to secure from other 
sources. 

If this general list should be insufficient in your case, we can 
prepare special lists of manufacturers in the line to which your 
invention belongs, for a very nominal sum, depending upon the 
number of names you desire. In this way you may get into 
direct communication with parties likely to be interested in 
your invention. 

Any advice you may desire as to the best method, in our 
opinion, of approaching possible purchasers, will be given free 
of charge, and if possible we will put you in direct touch with a 
likely purchaser as in the case of Mr. F. H. Houghland, whose 
letters appear on page 74. 

Listing in the Official Patent Office Gazette 

It is worth mentioning that as soon as your patent has been 
issued by the Patent Office it will be listed in the Official Gazette 
of the United States Patent Office, together with an illustra- 
tion taken from your official drawings. This Gazette is the 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 73 

largest and most important patent publication, is issued by 
the Government and has a tremendous circulation among 
manufacturers, promoters, and inventors all over the world. 

The Official Gazette is subscribed to regularly by hundreds 
of the largest manufacturers throughout the world in order 
that they may keep informed as to the new inventions and 
arrange with the patentees to purchase those which may be of 
particular value to them. 

We wish to impress upon inventors that the successful dis- 
posal of a patent is not always accomplished in a week or a 
month. But depend upon it, a meritorious invention will 
eventually score, and score heavily. All you should do with a 
meritorious invention at your back is to keep everlastingly at 
it, and you may rest assured that we will gladly cooperate 
with you in any way we can, in helping you dispose of any 
patents we secure for you. 

Advertising Patents We Secure 

As a special service to our clients we have made arrange- 
ments whereby we are able to advertise patents secured by us 
in the country's leading Mechanical Magazine. This we do 
at our own expense as soon as the patent issues provided the 
patentee requests us to do so. 

This practical advertising plan means that over one million 
people are given an opportunity to learn of the new, patented 
invention, and those who are interested in it may write us 
for full particulars. The magazine we have chosen is the 
leader in its field, has over 400,000 subscribers and is read 
by between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 people including Manu- 
facturers, Capitalists, Promoters and others interested in 
new inventions. 

We do not attempt to guarantee that this advertising will 
result in the sale of a patent, in any particular case, but can 
only do our best, in this way, in an effort to put our clients in 
touch with possible buyers. 

On the following page we have reprinted the correspon- 
dence in the case of one of our clients, Mr. F. H. Houghland, 
showing how we assisted him in disposing of one of the many 
patents we have secured for him, all of which he has sold. 



74 Talbert & Talbert 

THESE LETTERS SHOW HOW WE HELPED MR. F. H. 
HOUGHLAND TO SELL HIS PATENT 

February 11, 1916. 
Gentlemen: 

We received a circular letter from you some time ago, asking if we could 
use patents. Would say that we are always in the market for patentable 
articles in the cardboard or folding box line. 

We do not like to consider patents of this kind unless the inventor will 
send us a handmade sample. 

Very truly yours, 

LINDLEY BOX & PAPER CO. 

By L. R. Lindlby, 
President and General Manager. 

This Is Our Reply 

Lindley Box and Paper Co., Washington, D. C, 

Gas City, Ind. February 15, 1916. 

Gentlemen: 

We thank you for your letter of February 11, signed by your President, 
and in suggesting to our clients that they submit their inventions to you 
for consideration we will advise that they send handmade samples as you 
request. We are today referring your letter to Mr. Frank H. Houghland, 
Cincinnati, Ohio, who we feel sure will be able to submit something of 
interest to you. 

This Is the Next Letter We Received 

March 1, 1916. 
Gentlemen: 

Enclosed find P. O. Money Order for $25.00 for balance of your account 
on patent of Frank H. Houghland, of Cincinnati, Ohio, serial No. 37837, 
filed July 3, 1915, allowed September 4, 1915. 

We have bought this patent of Mr. Houghland, and he desires you to 
assign it to us in full, as we have bought all rights, and have it issued as 
soon as possible. 

Very truly yours, 

LINDLEY BOX & PAPER CO., 

By L. R. Lindley, 
President and General Manager. 

We Also Received This Letter from Mr. Houghland 

March 1, 1916. 
Gentlemen: 

Referring to yours of the 21 ulto. regarding serial No. 37837, would say 
that I have this day sold this patent to the Lindley Box & Paper Co., of 
Gas City, Ind., for a specified sum of money and certain other considera- 
tions. 

Very truly yours, 

FRANK H. HOUGHLAND. 

The above letters speak for themselves and show how we assist our 
clients, whenever possible, to dispose of their patents. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 75 



Our Lists of Possible Buyers 

Selling a patent, like selling anything else, resolves itself into 
first finding out what people or class of people are most likely 
to be interested in it and then presenting it for their consideration 
in the most forceful manner possible. In addition to having a 
classified list of all manufacturers who have actually written 
us regarding patents which they want to purchase, we have a 
further classified list of all American manufacturers in all lines, 
so that it is a simple matter for us to furnish our clients with the 
names and addresses of those firms who are "most likely to be 
interested" in inventions of the nature of theirs. 

We consider it our duty to our clients and to ourselves to 
assist them in getting into communication with prospective 
purchasers of the patents we secure. 

RAISING MONEY TO PAY FOR SECURING A PATENT 
Obtaining Financial Assistance 

Where an inventor has not the means to procure a patent 
for his invention he should first consult us regarding our Credit 
System. If unable to meet the liberal terms we will make him 
to suit his case, we would suggest that he endeavor to interest 
someone in his vicinity to whom he can personally explain the 
merits of his invention, and agree to assign to such person a part 
interest therein, in consideration of the fees necessary to secure 
a patent. When this has been effected we shall be glad to pre- 
pare the required assignment. Our Certificate as to Patentable 
Subject Matter has been of great assistance to inventors without 
funds, as it gives the capitalists the necessary assurance of prob- 
able patentability to justify them in advancing the necessary 
money. In order to^protect your interests while seeking to inter- 
rest capital in your invention, we recommend that you forward 
us sketches and description, duly witnessed, of your invention, 
which we will place in our secret files, and in case an attempt 
should be made to pirate the invention, we would then be in 
a position to establish proof of your invention. 

In seeking financial assistance we advise that you first ap- 
proach friends or relatives and those in whom you have implicit 
confidence. Avoid the promiscuous disclosure of your invention 
before your application is filed; in fact, to be on the safe side have 
us file your application as soon as possible and take no chances. 



76 Talbert & Talbert 



We Do Not Finance Inventions 

Inventors often write us offering to sell us their inventions — 
to give us an interest if we will pay the fees, or to pay us a sum 
of money after the patent has been secured and sold, if we will 
advance the fees. We are obliged to reject all such offers, 
principally, because it is a fact, that a patent lawyer cannot 
properly represent inventors before the patent office or the 
courts if he himself is financially interested in inventions which 
might be affected to his profit or loss, by such a decision as he 
would naturally be obliged to strive for in serving his clients. 
It would mean that we would be obliged to refuse to handle 
cases covering inventions which were in any way similar to., 
or which could, if patented, have any bearing upon those in- 
ventions in which we had become financially interested. 

In most cases the liberal terms of our Credit System make it 
possible for inventors in temporary financial straits to place 
their cases with us, and to pay us as our work progresses. If 
not, there is always the possibility of being able to interest 
friends or business acquaintances just as thousands of other 
inventors have done. In this connection our Certificate as to 
Patentable Subject Matter should prove of valuable assistance 
to you. 

Manufacturing and Selling Before Issue of Patent 

Every inventor has the right, when he has an application 
for patent pending in the Patent Office, to manufacture and 
sell his goods, and to mark them "Patent Applied For." 

This means that as soon as your application for patent has 
been filed in the patent office, you can start manufacturing and 
selling your invention, even though the patent is not actually 
issued. 

Thus you may have an opportunity to at once start realizing, 
financially, on your invention, as many other inventors have 
done. 

A great many of the widely advertised, and successful de- 
vices put on the market from time to time, are first manufac- 
tured and sold while the patent is still pending. You have no 
doubt noticed the words "Patent Applied For," or "Patents 
Pending" on articles which you have bought. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 77 



Important Features of Our Service 

We cannot urge upon you too strongly the care you 
should exercise in selecting your patent attorney. In fact, 
the Commissioner of Patents himself in the official book, "Rules 
of Practices in the United States Patent Office," advises inven- 
tors as follows: "To employ a competent attorney, as the value 
of patents depends largely upon the skillful preparation of the 
specification and claims." 

In order for an inventor to secure the fullest protection 
warranted by the novelty of his invention it is absolutely 
essential that his interests, in the procurement of a patent, 
have the personal care and attention of a skilled patent at- 
torney, for otherwise, though no difficulty be experienced in 
obtaining the patent, sooner or later, and just at a time when 
success seems to be in his grasp, the discovery is apt to be 
made that his patent, upon which he has depended to bring 
him financial profit, is so unnecessarily limited and restricted 
in the protection it affords that it is practically worthless and 
he finds that his time, money, and labor have been wasted. 

With the inventor the incentive of his efforts is financial 
remuneration as a dividend on his genius. It is a practical 
business proposition with him, with financial gain as the goal, 
or he would not devote his time nor his money to the business. 
Therefore, let us say, that a patent attorney with professional 
standing occupies as important a position with respect to an 
inventor as steam to a locomotive. Without the assistance of 
a competent patent attorney the genius of the inventor is 
often rendered valueless. Without steam the value of the 
locomotive as an aid to transportation is nil. 

Our qualifications and professional standing as patent 
attorneys are universally recognized, and therefore we feel 
justified in soliciting the business of inventors and such others 
as may desire skillful and capable service in patent matters of 
any nature whatsoever. We will gladly furnish on request 
from you the names of clients for whom we have handled patent 
business and who, in every case, have nothing but the highest 
praise for our methods. 

Our Competent Organization 

We deem it important to inform those contemplating enter- 
ing into business relations with us that Mr. E. Hume Talbert, 
the senior member of our firm, is duly registered in the 
U. S. Patent Office as a Patent Attorney. 



78 Talbert & Talbert 

All patent and legal matters entrusted to us are handled 
personally by, or under the direct personal supervision of, one 
of the members of our firm. 

Ours is a completely organized staff of experts in their 
respective lines who are thoroughly capable of handling in a 
most efficient manner the important work of our clients which 
is entrusted to them. 

The following departments make up our efficient business 
organization: 

Search Department, through which all searches of patent 
office records pertaining to patents, trade-marks, etc., are 
properly made and reported to the proper parties for final 
review and opinion as to the probable patentability or registra- 
bility of the respective matter. 

Correspondence Department, which handles the general 
correspondence from inventors, clients, manufacturers, inves- 
tors, the United States Patent Office and others. It is the aim 
of this department to answer promptly all correspondence on 
the day it is received in our office. 

Specification Department. — Upon the shoulders of this im- 
portant department falls the grave responsibility of preparing 
the necessary application papers, including the specifications 
and claims in connection with every case which goes through 
our offices. This may call for papers covering a simple device 
such as an improved clothes pin or a complicated mechanical 
structure such as an automatic train controlling device or a 
new system of wireless telegraphy. 

Drafting Department. — In this department all of the Official 
Patent Office drawings required in our various cases are 
prepared by skilled draftsmen whose long association with 
patent attorneys and knowledge of the necessary require- 
ments, equips them to properly illustrate the necessary and 
salient features of each invention. 

Legal Department. — To this department are referred all legal 
questions and matters within the jurisdiction of the courts 
such as infringement, damage, and breach of contract suits, 
etc. It also handles the preparation of legal documents, 
contracts, etc., as may be needed by our clients. 

Foreign Patent Department. — All matters pertaining to the 
preparation and prosecution of patent and trade-mark 
cases in the foreign countries are handled through this de- 
partment in conjunction with our agents in the capitate of 
the various important countries. As the proper protection 
of the rights of our clients often depends upon the securing 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 79 

of valid foreign patents this branch of our work is given 
special attention. 

Filing and Record Department, — The work of this department 
is of the utmost importance as upon it depends the proper 
filing and recording in our office, of all correspondence, 
drawings, models, and data pertaining to the inventions of 
our clients and others and the filing at the proper time in the 
Patent Office of application papers, amendments and all 
other papers connected with our client's cases. 
This department, by a clever system, keeps a close watch on 
the progress of every case and keeps the client warned of 
possible pending abandonment or lapse of his case. 

When you employ Talbert & Talbert you have at your dis- 
posal the services of our entire organization, if necessary, in the 
proper handling of your case, whether the amount involved be 
large or small. 

Prosecuting Cases Filed by Other Attorneys 

Frequently inventors write us regarding the prosecution of 
cases which have already been filed for them by some other 
attorney whose services are not satisfactory, or by the inventor 
himself. 

In such cases you should write for our blank "Power To In- 
spect," which will be promptly sent you to be filled in, signed, 
and returned to us. On receipt of this paper we will promptly 
inspect your case in the Patent Office, advise you of the true 
condition thereof, and quote our charge for properly completing 
its prosecution. 

We are proud to say that we have been successful in the prose- 
cution of cases where others have failed completely to procure 
an allowance. 

Our Methods 

A patent attorney to properly serve his clients must see that 
the methods he employs in his practice are above reproach and 
in accordance with the Rules of Practice prescribed by the 
United States Patent Office. 

We openly invite the closest investigation of the methods 
employed by us in every branch of our practice. If you have 
friends in Washington ask them to call upon us — have your 
Congressman or Senator investigate our references — or you 
may write to any of our clients whose names appear herein, 
in which case we advise that you enclose a stamped envelope 
for their reply. 



80 Talbert & Talbert 



Our Charges 

In every case placed with us we charge a reasonable amount 
for the preparation and prosecution of the application. 

Our work is invariably of the highest grade and every case 
entrusted to us is prepared and prosecuted by, or under the 
direct supervision of, one of the individual members of our firm. 

It has frequently been remarked that, despite the exception- 
ally high-grade of our service and the excellent results we 
have secured for a large percentage of our clients, our charges 
are no higher than, and in many cases not as high as, those of 
other attorneys rendering inferior service. 

Our charges are as low as is consistent with the very best 
grade of professional and technical service, and no attorney, 
even though his charges be double our own, could possibly 
render more efficient and valuable service. 

Cheap patent work never pays the inventor any more than 
it pays to employ a cheap doctor, dentist or other professional 
man. Good work of any kind costs more because it is worth 
more. 

Our Clients Recommend Us 

Our most valuable asset is the good will of our ever-increas- 
ing fist of satisfied clients who are continually recommending 
us to their friends and inventors in general. 

A generous proportion of our growing practice is procured 
through the recommendations and praises of our clients. 

Mr. Harry Verwer, of Oakland, Cal., remarked in one of his 
letters, "I placed my case with you because everyone out here 
who knows you is a booster for you." 

Scarcely a day passes that does not bring one or more letters 
from inventors who want to place their work with us because 
"so-and-so" spoke so highly of the work we did for him. 

To more fully realize just what our clients think read the 
letters from some of them which we print herein, and note the 
following list of just a few of our satisfied clients : 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 81 



REFERENCES 

Note. — Should you write to any of the following 
parties concerning us, kindly enclose a stamped ad- 
dressed envelope for their reply as none of these 
parties are under any obligation to us to answer any 
letters addressed to them. Other names of clients 
in or near your locality will be furnished on 
request. 

E. J. Abbett, 1315 Harvard Street, Houston, Tex. 

Henry Barnwell, 44 Billing Street, Lowell, Mass. 

Harvey B. Beachler, Surrey, N. Dak. 

Lyle C. Beck, Windsor, 111. 

E. J. Benedict, 1021 Jackson Avenue, Memphis, 
Tenn. 

Wm. Bloomberg, 21 Rutgers Place, Passaic, N. J. 

Frank Brosman, 2016 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, 
Iowa. 
Luther C. Brown, R. F. D. No. 4, Chandler, Okla. 
E. B. Burrell, 410 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, Md- 

James Cerney, Sergeant 16th Co., Jefferson Bar- 
racks, Mo. 

M. C. Cuttle, 37 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, 
Ga. 

Hubert T. Dealy, Milton, Ore. 

William Dunning, Tegarden, Okla. 

Fred R. Falkenstein, 3504 Fairview Avenue, 
Baltimore, Md. 

Anthony Giardino, 27 Hillboro Avenue, Brockton, 
Mass. 

Richard J. Gibbons, Q. M. Sergt., Q. M. C, Fort 
Rosecrans, San Diego, Cal. 

Geo. J. Gotty, care of Novelty Light Co., 50 XL S. 
Trust Bank Bldg., Jacksonville, Fla. 

John J. Hill, P. O. Box 1326, Topnoah, Nev. 

Rowland Hill, 4438 Alleham, Sta. F, Cincinnati, 
Ohio. 

W. P. Holt, 206 Fisher Street, Jonesboro, Ark. 
^ Frank H. Houghland, 504 East Fifth Street, Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. 

Norman Hunsberger, Box 5, Santa Barbara, Cal. 



82 Talbert & Talbert 

C. J. Huelsenkamp, 800 Avenue D Extension, 
Miami, Fla. 

C. A. Johnson, 616 Avenue I, Galveston, Tex. 

W. J. Keefe, 672 Maple Avenue, Blue Island, 111. 

Wm. H. Kelly, 346 Moody Street, Waltham, Mass. 

L. T. Kenny, Box 174, Hawarden, Iowa. 

C. A. Ley, 1920 Warner Avenue, Chicago, 111. 

Walter J. Liddle, 543 Fourth Street, Milwaukee, 
Wis. 

^ S. R. M. Malloch, Gen. Del. P. O., 9th and Market 
Streets, Philadelphia, Pa. 

L. M. Mayne, Winder, Ga. 

Fred Miller, R. F. D. No. 1, Silver City, Iowa. 

W. I. Miller, 1265 West 2nd Street, Cleveland, 
Ohio. 

Michael D. Murrary, 186 2nd Street, Ambridge, 
Pa. 

W. T. Phillips, 127 King Street, Hampton, Va. 

Adolph A. Rackoff, 526 Wallace Avenue, Wilkins- 
burg, Pa. 

J. L. Reichert, Boyne City, Mich. 

W. J. Reid, Dobson, N. C. 

Frederick H. Schumacher, 33 Grant Avenue, 
Jersey City, N. J. 

Wm. H. Sherman and J. F. McGinnitey, Rooms 1, 2, 
3, Donnell Court Bldg., St. Joseph, Mo. 

E. D. Smith-Green, 26-28 West 137th Street, New 
York City. 

Claude W. Stewart, 427 Winchester Avenue, Mar- 
tinsburg, W. Va. 

C. C. Stubblefield and F. C. Hawkins, Rogers, Ark. 

F. E. Summers, Memphis, Mo. 
S. Svendsen, R. F. D. No. 1, Espanola, Fla. 
Harry Samuel Throckmorton, 1226 Live Oak 

Street, Muskogee, Okla. 

A. A. Turnage, Hotel Thomas, 969 Mission Street, 
San Francisco, Cal. 

Joseph F. Watts, 603 Willow Street, Jackson, Miss. 

John D. Wertin, Cokedale, Colo. 

West Coast Specialty Co., 100 North Fifth Street, 
Portland, Ore. 

F. C. Wright, care of A. N. Whitman, Halifax, 
N. S., Canada. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C . 83 



Patents and "Patents" 

There are any number of inventors who think that a patent 
is a patent under any circumstances as long as it bears the 
ribbon and seal of the Patent Office. 

But there are STRONG PATENTS which properly cover 
and fully protect the invention and WORTHLESS PATENTS 
which do not. 

We have won the enviable reputation of striving to the 
utmost in every case we handle to secure the allowance of the 
broadest claims which will secure to our client the fullest 
possible protection. 

It has been our persistence in the prosecution of cases which 
has enabled us to win where other attorneys have failed and 
which has caused inventors to place cases in our hands after 
having dealt with other attorneys for years. 

You don't merely want a "patent" — you want a protective 
patent which covers every patentable detail of your invention 
and which you will not feel ashamed to submit for the considera- 
tion of any manufacturer or expert in the land. 

Let us secure your patent and you will be assured of the 
broadest possible protection. 

We Are Noted for Our Promptness 

Promptness on the part of the inventor is of little or no 
avail unless it is linked with equal promptness on the part of 
his attorney in the preparation, filing and prosecution of his 
case. 

We can properly prepare your application papers and have 
them on file in the Patent Office in less time than it would 
take some attorneys to fully grasp your invention. 

If you appreciate the importance of promptness in Patent 
matters, you should place your business in the hands of attorneys 
who are noted for their promptness as we are. 

Coming to Washington 

It is rarely ever necessary for an inventor to come to Wash- 
ington in person in order to have us file his application for 
patent. Where we deem it necessary the inventor is so advised 
by us and those who particularly desire to call upon us will be 
more than welcome and may make our offices their headquarters 
while in Washington. 



84 Talbert & Talbert 



How to Send Models, Etc. 

In sending sketches or drawings to be searched, we advise 
that you wrap them securely and send by Registered Mail, 
especially if remittance of any amount accompanies them. 
Send models by insured Express or Parcel Post, 

Do not send letters or remittances wrapped with models, 
but be sure to label models inside of the wrapping with your 
name and address. 

All sketches, models, photographs or other data are properly 
dated and marked for identification on reaching our office. 

Keeping in Touch with Manufacturers 

It is part of our service to our clients in general to keep 
constantly in touch with manufacturers in various lines, who 
are most likely to be in the market for the purchase of manu- 
facturing rights to new patented inventions of merit. 

All correspondence from manufacturers is classified and their 
names comprise our general lists of patent buyers. 

We will appreciate being sent the names and addresses of 
any firms or individuals interested in the purchase of patents 
and guarantee to heartily cooperate with them in arranging for 
the purchase of patents from our clients. 

A Final Word 

In closing, the most important thing we can say is but a 
repetition — "Delays in Patent Matters Are often Dangerous," 
and we cannot impress upon you too strongly the importance of 
sending us a sketch, model, or photograph of your invention 
at once. 

We will immediately search the Patent Office Records and 
will advise you promptly whether or not in our opinion your 
invention is patentable — if so, we can then proceed with the 
preparation and prosecution of your case on receipt of instruc- 
tions from you. 

Keep this book and read it often — refer to it — and may this 
mark but the beginning of a long business relationship which 
we shall do our best to make mutually agreeable and satis- 
factory. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 85 



IMPORTANT 



~\0 not fail to read our "What 
~* To Invent" Section on pages 
86 to 99. 

This section includes over 150 
suggestions of inventions and im- 
provements which you may be 
able to conceive, including 30 in- 
ventions for which the present 
war has either created a demand 
or increased the demand already 
existing. 



READ "WHAT TO INVENT" 
CAREFULLY! 



86 Talbert & Talbert 



WHAT TO INVENT 

IN presenting the following suggestions to inventors we make 
no pretense whatever, nor would we wish inventors to believe 
that no patents have been granted for the classes of inven- 
tion covered by these suggestions. 

What is particularly wanted is devices which in themselves 
possess superior merits to those now in use, or, in other words, 
improvements. 

There are scores of inventions and improvements wanted 
which are not covered by this list, and which will readily sug- 
gest themselves to inventors who keep abreast with the times. 

1. An automatic self-inking proof roller. 

2. Devices for conveniently keeping record of telephone messages sent. 

3. White indelible ink, for marking black clothing, would find a ready 
sale. 

4. A practical self-inking typewriting machine, dispensing with carbon 
ribbons. 

5. A blotting substance of increased absorbent nature which is better 
than blotting paper. 

6. A substitute for tar or metal as a roofing material. Cheap, durable, 
and waterproof. 

7. A new and perfect artificial fuel, compounded from natural products, 
and cheaper than coal. 

8. A device for quickly and effectively cleaning hair brushes. Also toilet 
articles of general use. 

9. New systems of house heating and ventilation are in demand. No 
perfect system is yet in use. 

10. A practical automatic cut-off safety gas cock, whereby the flow of 
gas is permitted only when lighted. 

11. A process and apparatus for drawing electrical energy from the 
atmosphere and storing it for use. 

12. Means for braking cars and other vehicles which will be quick-act- 
ing, and will not "flat" the wheels. 

13. A practical device for regulating incandescent electric lights which 
can be turned partly off or on like gas. 

14. Type-setting and casting machinery on the plan of the "linotype," 
but more simple and easier in operation. 

15. Improved electrical conductor, lessening resistance to the current 
and loss thereby by leakage and radiation. 

16. A noiseless typewriting machine is greatly needed. All workers in 
modern offices will appreciate this invention. 

17. Fashionable confectioners want a box which cannot be repacked with 
confections of an inferior grade without discovery. 

18. A tough transparent substitute for glass, which will not crack under 
a high degree of heat, and will withstand a great strain. 

19. A perfect fire-proofing compound, which will not injure the materials 
to which it is applied, and which is safe and inexpensive. 

20. An improvement in doors similar but superior to the "revolving 
door," which has been a financial success, but has some objections. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 87 

21. Improvements in key action, carriage movement, ribbon and other 
parts of writing machines, to cheapen the cost and enhance speed and 
accuracy. 

22. A simple cork extractor which will not break up the cork and cause 
portions of the latter to fall into the bottle will satisfy a general demand. 

23. A simple and effective coffee mill for domestic use, provided with 
means for regulating the degree of fineness to which the coffee is ground. 

24. Improved machinery and apparatus for curing, stripping, and packing 
tobacco. The present methods require much space and great loss of time. 

25. Special machinery for shoe-lasting, book-binding, metal- working, and 
other purposes. Improvements upon machinery in general use are often 
very valuable. 

26. A safety envelope that cannot be opened without detection is greatly 
desired. There are some inventions in this line, but there is still room 
for improvement. 

27. An invention for holding up a lady's skirt when walking in the street 
would be highly appreciated by the ladies, especially if they are encum- 
bered with bundles. 

28. A more sensitive and accurate diaphragm for telephones, phono- 
graphs, and similar instruments, whereby the sounds produced will be 
clearer, louder, and more natural. 

29. Journals for car and other axles have been much improved, but "hot 
boxes" are still of frequent occurrence. Improved metals for anti-friction 
bearing can be patented. 

30. A preserving compound for wooden piles is desired on the Pacific 
Coast that will make piles immune from the attacks of teredos and other 
forms of destructive marine life. 

31. A washboard with soaping apparatus or means embodied therein, and 
so arranged that the soap would be applied by the action of rubbing, would 
be a profitable invention. 

82. Ingenious articles of utility formed of wire bent from a single piece, 
and therefore extremely cheap. This applies particularly to household and 
•tore fittings and simple implements. 

33. An ink bottle which will permit of the insertion of a pen point therein, 
will provide a regular depth of dip for the pen point, and will prevent the 
evaporation of ink contained in it. 

34. An improvement in printing presses to do away with the necessity 
for an elaborate make-ready. Much time is lost in overlaying and under- 
laying forms that would be saved by such a device. 

35. An invention is desired which will make a horse secure on his legs 
on slippery pavements. 

36. New construction of boats and methods of boat propelling. Some- 
thing better than paddle wheels or screws. Water drawn in at the bow of 
the vessel and forcibly expelled at the stern has been tried. 

37. A better type of fixed ammunition for rapid-fire guns is greatly de- 
sired. We would suggest a caseless charge compressed in the form of a 
solid cylinder and attached in some manner to the base of the projectile. 

38. A safety stirrup, one that would be so arranged by a spring or other- 
wise that instead of holding the rider's foot when a horse falls, the weight 
of the rider pulling backward or downward would cause the release of the 
foot. 

39. Why cannot a system of bundle carriers, such as are used in dry- 
goods stores, be devised for public restaurants? The advantages of such a 
system are many, and would effect a great saving of time and labor. 

40. An automobile street sweeper is also desired — one that will sweep 
the dust direct from the street into a dust bin carried by the machine where 



88 Talbert & Talbert 

it could be dampened, thus causing no dust to be thrown out during its 
operation. 

41. New labor-saving means in washing, wringing, drying, and ironing 
clothes would be profitable and should have a ready sale in the market. 
Laundry improvements, when properly protected, are always appreciated 
and have a quick sale. 

42. New compositions of matter. Dyestuffs are patented in great num- 
bers, and some very valuable. Mere prescriptions cannot be patented, but 
new chemical compounds, such as phenacetin, are patentable, and often 
yield great profits. 

48. Improvements in apparatus for generating and using acetylene gas 
are now especially wanted. This gas has been proved a valuable illumi- 
nating medium, and simple means for safely generating and storing and 
using it are valuable. 

44. A practical crude-oil burner. There are two main lines of invention 
in this class. One is for supplying the oil mixed with steam for combus- 
tion, and the other is for turning it into vapor and mixing it with air, burn- 
ing it in that form. 

45. A motor plow that could be easily handled and operated would revo- 
lutionize existing agricultural methods. Besides the motor plow, there are 
other farm implements where the principle of the automobile could be 
applied to advantage. 

46. There is a great demand for an automatic telephone exchange, by 
means of which connections will be made automatically, greatly facilitating 
the service, and doing away with salaries of large numbers of persons usu- 
ally employed at the exchange. Recent experiments of Dr. Pupin have 
demonstrated that the Trans-Atlantic telephone is feasible. Quadruplex 
machines will also come in time, and it may be as easy to send four or five 
messages over a single wire by the telephone as it is by the telegraph now. 

47. A storm-proof cover and sun-shield for standing crops, such as choice 
garden products. A cover which is cheap and simple, and can be easily 
manipulated. Hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of crops are de- 
stroyed by the elements annually. 

48. The need of a practical spark and cinder arrester for use on railway 
locomotives is apparent to all who travel, as frequent fires are ignited by 
the sparks, and the cinders have a disagreeable habit of making known their 
presence in various ways. 

49. An apparatus for utilizing the great cold-producing power of liquefied 
air to cool houses in summer. The time may not be far distant when 
houses can be provided with an ice plant or cooling room which will be 
operated by simply turning on a spigot. 

50. A bottle for containing mucilage which is so constructed that when 
the brush is in place a complete closure of the upper end of the bottle will 
be effected, and which will prevent the gumming and sticking of the brush 
to the inside of the neck of the bottle. 

51. A bottle or stopper therefor so constructed as to prevent the bottle 
from being filled a second time. Manufacturers of proprietary compounds, 
liquors, perfumery, sauces, etc., are on the lookout for something practical 
of this kind which can be manufactured at a small cost. 

52. Another field which has not been successfully exploited is the shuck- 
ing of oysters and clams. Any simple mechanism for accomplishing this 
object would, in all probability, prove an immensely valuable invention, as 
the present hand work is necessarily slow, tedious, and expensive. 

53. Removing coke from ovens. Perhaps the most serious drawback to 
the production of coke is the apparent impossibility of removing the coke 
from the oven without cooling the oven. The process now employed of 
cooling the oven with water generates steam which affects the structure of 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 89 

the oven injuriously, and materially lessens its usefulness and durability. 
A practical process for removing the coke without cooling the oven will be 
an invention of unusual value, as it will save thousands of dollars annually 
to the coke industry, 

54. An automatic stoker to replace firemen on locomotives is sure to be 
adopted in the near future. 

55. An electric flat iron, so constructed that it could be heated by elec- 
tricity and propelled by it, but controlled by the hand of the user, would 
be a blessing to thousands of hard-working housekeepers who do their own 
ironing, and to all laundry workers. 

5Q. A machine which will pull or throw up beets and other like products 
out of the ground, and top and clean the same, would also be a valuable 
invention. Such a machine might resemble a self-binder or analogous har- 
vester, and should include mechanism to withdraw the beets or other prod- 
ucts from the ground, convey them upwardly by means of an endless belt, 
in accurate position, to knives or cutters where they could be chopped, and 
from the knives or cutters pass through a cleaning apparatus or means. 

57. An economic means of absorbing the vibration of both electrical and 
steam motors in automobiles is a desirable invention. This means should 
be light in weight and inexpensive. The vibration of the motors in auto- 
mobiles tends to rock and strain the bodies of the latter, and at present 
cumbersome vehicle constructions are necessary to withstand the wear and 
tear. Means for muffling the noise or sound emanating from automobile 
motors is also desirable. Means for condensing exhaust steam in locomo- 
biles without obstructing or retarding the exhaust, and to automatically 
relieve such means of the water of condensation, either by exterior outlet 
or returning it to the boiler or feed pipe. An absolutely safe structure to 
prevent explosion or injurious results due to the new use of vapor or gaso- 
line engines or motors in locomobiles, such as thermal or heat controlled 
vents, valves, and similar devices in conjunction with the vapor or gasoline 
supply tank and cylinders. 

58. In order to cheapen the manufacture of acetylene gas, some means 
will have to be discovered for economically producing magnesium carbide 
to compete with calcium carbide now commonly used, and from which less 
gas can be produced than from a corresponding quantity of magnesium 
carbide. Those inventors who operate in the field of chemistry will find it 
profitable to experiment in an economical production of magnesium carbide. 

59. The man who invents a really practical corn husker which will husk 
standing corn is assured of a fortune. As in the case of the trying work 
of picking cotton, but little help has been given to the farmer by the in- 
ventor. Numerous attempts have been made, but none of the machines 
constructed have proved practicable. One of the latest is a combination 
of the corn binder and the husker and the shredder, which is attached to 
the ordinary farm wagon. The fingers of the husker collect the stocks and 
convey them to the rollers of the shredder, where the husks are removed 
and the ears elevated to wagon box. The principle seems to be all right, 
but the practicability of the machine is yet to be demonstrated. Some day 
the successful machine will appear. 

60. A cotton picker to replace the ordinary methods of picking cotton by 
hand is desired by cotton raisers, and if a successful machine of this class 
is produced the inventor will receive a well-merited income therefrom. 

61. A telescopic or folding umbrella that can be easily and quickly re- 
duced to complete form and when folded will not be cumbersome and bulky 
would be a valuable and most profitable invention. Many attempts have 
been made to accomplish this result, but such complex and expensive 
structures have always been presented in the known folding umbrellas that 
they have been of small commercial value. 



90 Talbert & Talbert 

62. A prize of 1,000 francs ($163) will be given the inventor who shall 
produce a glove that can be used by electrical workmen to safeguard them 
from accident. The premium is offered by the French "Accidents to Work- 
man Assurance Association." The conditions are that the gloves must 
cover the forearm as well as the hands; that they must be light and leave 
the utmost liberty to the worker. If none of the devices submitted come 
up to the required standard, the prize will be divided among those inven- 
tors who most nearly approach it. 

63. A bottle containing poisons having a practical device for attracting 
the attention of those handling the same, or to indicate by some means that 
its contents are of a poisonous nature, is in demand. The device or struc- 
ture for notifying the user of the dangerous character of the contents of 
the bottle can be applied either to the neck, body, or stopper of the bottle, 
but in devising such indicating means care should be taken to avoid cum- 
bersome or impracticable structures. 

64. The use of aluminum for the manufacture of small articles such as 
spectacles and eye-glass frames and the like is prohibited by reason of a 
failure to successfully solder separate aluminum parts to complete a full 
organization of members of such devices. In the arts generally the use of 
aluminum is also prohibited where it is necessary to connect separate parts 
by reason of a lack of a proper solder for this purpose. The inventor who 
discovers an economical means of soldering aluminum will reap a consider- 
able fortune. 

65. Owing to the destruction of pasturage, cereal crops generally, and 
growing vegetables, by prairie dogs, gophers, and similar small animals, 
serious havoc has resulted from the inroads of these pests. Attempts to 
practically exterminate them have failed. An economical method or means 
for this purpose would be very valuable. The extermination of these pests 
can be effected, in all probability, by some yet undiscovered simple de- 
stroyer, either of a chemical or mechanical nature. 

66. Find a substitute material having all the characteristics and advan- 
tages of yieldable India rubber and your fortune is made. Owing to the 
enormous consumption of this substance, the expense of commercial pro- 
duction and the rapidly growing scarcity of the natural product, due to the 
reckless destruction of trees and plants which are the source of the same, 
the rubber output is becoming diminished, and its commercial value corre- 
spondingly increased every year. 

67. Many devices and various kinds of apparatus have been produced for 
extinguishing fires in the holds of vessels. This field of invention is still 
ripe, however, for the harvest of fertile brains of inventors, and a simple 
effective extinguishing means of a comparatively inexpensive nature that 
will not obstruct the capacity or operate in a manner to contaminate the 
cargo of the hold of a ship will result in a magnificent remuneration to the 
fortunate inventor who discovers the same. 

68. There is a demand for a painting machine of simple construction, 
embodying a gang or series of revolving brushes operated by electricity or 
direct mechanical means or by compressed air, and to which the paint may 
be fed by a conduit running to a supply tank or receptacle. If compressed 
air be the operating means the paint from the source of supply could be 
forced upwardly to the brushes by such air, and moreover the application 
of the paint to a surface of a building or other device could be more evenly 
spread by compressed air. 

69. A simple and absolutely reliable spring-cushion device or analogous 
buffer to prevent accidents and loss of life from falling elevators is wanted. 
A magnetic check, automatically energized by a pre-determined slack in the 
cable through the medium or intermediate device, would also be advan- 
tageous as a safety device for an elevator. There is also room for im- 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 91 

provement in automatic closers for elevators. In this class of inventions, 
the usual disadvantageous forms of dumb-waiters might be replaced by 
more economical and practical structures, and numerous automatically 
operating devices, both mechanical and electrical, could be devised for 
raising and lowering such waiters. 

70. A very convenient and profitable invention would be an automatic 
signal to notify icemen, grocers, butchers, milkmen, or other tradesmen 
when they are wanted. Such a signal might be located at the front of a 
residence and operated from the interior of the latter, so that the trades- 
man desired could see the same in passing and take an order without requir- 
ing anyone in such residence to go to the place of business of the various 
tradesmen. 

71. New principles in cash-registering means and purchasing indicators 
are always in demand and anxiously sought by the manufacturers of cash 
registers. Cash registers as now manufactured are more or less expensive 
and embody complex features. A departure from the ordinary methods of 
cash-registering constructions, with quick, practical results and efficiency, 
would be a source of substantial income to the fortunate inventor devising 
and protecting the same. 

72. An improved method or means of exterminating flies, roaches, and 
other similar pests in houses, hotels, and restaurants is greatly desired. 
The means now employed are rarely effective and are frequently of such 
an extremely poisonous nature as to be dangerous in their use. Within 
this same class of invention, practical means of exterminating mosquitoes 
is also desired, particularly in view of the fact that recent experiments have 
demonstrated that mosquitoes spread the germs of malaria, yellow fever, 
and kindred diseases. 

73. A practical household ice machine in connection with a refrigerator 
which could be operated by a water or other similar motor, would be a 
valuable invention. In devising a machine of this class it is suggested 
that means be provided for producing the ice directly in the refrigerator, 
and if some inexpensive chemical or electrical means for this purpose is 
discovered a long-felt want will be supplied. 

74. A practical, cheap, and efficient pocket match box, which will be con- 
structed and operated by simple manipulation to deliver one match at a 
time, would be a most valuable acquisition to this class of devices. There 
is a demand for an improvement in the usual form of match boxes, in 
view of the fact that those that have heretofore been devised were of 
such a complex and expensive nature that they had but a limited com- 
mercial value. 

75. A boot-blacking machine for effectively polishing the parts of a boot 
or shoe and operated by the nickle-in-a-slot principle is wanted, and would 
be a profitable field of invention in which to enter. Such machine would 
have to include a motor and mechanism for applying and rubbing on the 
polish, and might be in the form of brushes or textile bands, or both. 

76. If incubators are made that are mechanically regulated and held to 
a given degree of heat, with an electric bell to call when there is need of 
attention, why cannot a cook stove be produced on the same plan? This 
stove should contain a series of ovens controlled by thermometers and 
equipped with a simple electrical appliance to call when there is danger. 
The heat in one oven could be regulated to cook meat, eggs, and other 
albuminous foods: another oven to be regulated for boiling purposes. In 
another the heat could be regulated for baking bread, etc. 

77. Printing without type. Not only has this been accomplished by the 
Inventor of this system, Mr. Friese-Green, but he has actually succeeded 
in printing in colors without the use of any pigment whatever. This 
process is accomplished through the use of electricity and can be applied 



92 Talbert & Talbert 

to any press, it being only necessary to remove the ink roller. This inven- 
tion opens up an endless field of invention. 

78. There is a great demand for a practical wall-papering machine. By 
this is meant machines that are readily portable and to which the paper 
may be easily applied and delivered therefrom to walls or ceilings by a 
simple operation. A machine of this character, embodying features to per- 
mit the operator to stand at a distance from the wall to be covered and 
dispose the machine at the proper angle to the wall or ceiling as to obtain 
a square application of the paper, will solve this problem. 

79. A practical musical instrument which shall produce orchestral music 
including the representation of a violin, cornet, trombone, flageolet, flute, 
and piccolo, bass viol, snare and bass drum, leaving the expression of the 
music under the control of the operator. Also, in connection with such 
instrument, a machine for preparing perforated sheet music with which to 
operate the musical instrument. 

80. Many attempts have been made to practically cool and ventilate cars 
by replacing vitiated air with successive or continuous charges of fresh air 
from the exterior. Some of these have been more or less successful, but 
in the present systems, under the most favorable circumstances, the appa- 
ratus used materially adds to the expense of the car equipments, and in 
some structures the thorough ventilation and cooling of a car is not effected 
equally throughout the interior area. 

81. Inventions for the utilization of waste products, or by-products, 
resulting from the treatment of various articles or commodities in manufac- 
turing, are always successful if practical and meritorious. For example, the 
numerous so-called "waste products" of the packing houses of Chicago 
and other places are turned to account, and are probably as profitable as 
the meat or principal product. In the same manner waste and by-products 
of soap factories, dye works, and numerous other establishments are utilized 
and made sources of profit. Inventions resulting in the utilization of such 
common waste products as ashes, furnace slag, sawdust, and oyster shells 
cannot fail to prove successful on the market. 

82. The utilization of the sun's rays for mechanical purposes is now 
actively engaging the attention of inventors. The most practical apparatus 
up to the present time is one recently tested in Southern California. It 
consists of a large reflector in the shape of an umbrella with the top cut 
away. The inner surface is lined with numerous small mirrors, which con- 
centrate the sun's rays and direct them upon a boiler located within the 
reflector. 

83. After centuries of use, the cork-closing bottles are passing slowly 
away, and rubber, metal, glass, pasteboard, and pulp coverings are taking 
the place of cork. Success awaits the inventor who hits the popular taste 
for a cork substitute. Fruit jars have long had patent tops; beer is seldom 
sold in any other way; and milk is now put up in bottles that have little 
covers of metal. Citrate of magnesia bottles have now a special stopper 
of their own. Rubber corks are made in great quantities, and glass tops 
to ordinary corks are made for the high-class drug and perfume trade. The 
mechanism now coming into use for the soda and beer bottles, and fruit 
jars as well, is the eccentric one in which a double wire loosely clasping 
the neck of the bottle, when pushed up, raises the stopper cleanly and easily. 

84. There is a large fortune in store for some energetic inventor who 
will devise a bob-sled or the like having practical means of propulsion con- 
trollable within the confines of the body of the sled and departing from 
the usual gripping or traction wheel devices heretofore invented for this 
purpose. A valuable feature of construction in automobile sleds would be 
means for practically ascending grades or hills by step movement, and also 
to have the propulsive or operating mechanism capable of being thrown out 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 93 

of contact with the surface over which the sled is moved to adapt the latter 
to descend grades by its own momentum. Reliable steering devices for a 
sled of this class would also have to be provided. 

85. Sooner or later the faithful tow-path mule will be emancipated. At- 
tempts have been made to propel canal boats by the trolley system, but 
thus far without complete success. Two obstacles must be overcome before 
practical success is reached. One is the provision of means for maintaining 
the trolley in effective contact with the conductor, and the other the preven- 
tion of "side wash" or undue disturbance of the water which undermines 
the canal banks. The benefit to the shipping public which would result 
from a more expeditious canal service cannot be estimated. 

86. In a railroad disaster in the tunnel of the New York Central Rail- 
road great destruction of property and loss of life ensued from the explosion 
of the Pintsch gas reservoirs. The use of gas is therefore shown to be as 
dangerous as the car stove, and the discovery of some illuminating means 
that will not tend to fire the same in the event of accident will prove to be 
a valuable invention. 

87. There is great demand in eyeglasses for some means of practically 
securing the extremities of the nose-spring, the nose-pad arms, and the 
posts secured to the lenses which will resist accidental loosening and annoy- 
ing movement of the lenses. Many attempts have been made to success- 
fully arrive at this result, but they are all more or less disadvantageous, 
and the means heretofore used have been either cumbersome or weaken the 
strength of the parts which they engage. Everyone seems to have followed 
the old plan in the use of a screw, and if someone should devise a simple 
and positive means for securing the parts of an eyeglass without the use 
of screws, and without detracting in the least from the strength of said 
parts, immediate adoption of such device would follow. 

88. Another promising field is that of single-rail railways, commonly 
known as "mono railways." There is room for great improvements in this 
class of inventions, both in the structure of the railway itself and in cars 
adapted thereto. Recent European experiments in mono-railways have 
demonstrated the wonderful advantages of single-rail tracks, both in speed 
and safety; and the near future may witness the practical development of 
this class of invention. 

89. Prairie fires. This subject offers an opportunity for inventors to 
devise a machine for moving over the ground surface similar to a horse-rake 
or cultivator, having means for burning the grass down to the ground for 
a space of about 8 or 10 feet in width, using gasoline to ignite the grass, 
and a train of steel brushes or other devices to extinguish the flame before 
it is permitted to spread, thus creating a fire guard. 

90. No practical device has been discovered that will utilize the power 
of the waves and the tides. The main obstacle to success in getting the 
ocean into harness has been to provide a motor that would withstand a 
heavy surf. The latest attempt in this line proposes a series of submerged 
pistons worked on buoys, whose constant motion is expected to compressor. 

91. Incandescent gas lighting approaches perfection in house illumina- 
tion, and is now generally used. A serious drawback to this system of 
lighting, however, is the fragile and perishable character of the mantles 
employed. What is needed is a mantle which will not break in ordinary 
handling, or if accidentally dropped a distance of a few feet. Also one 
which will not melt or crack when exposed to the temperature of burning 
coal gas, and which will not become useless if bent out of its original shape. 

92. Women are always on the outlook for curling tongs or irons, hair- 
curling devices generally, and other mechanical articles for the toilet. New 
ideas in corset, placket, glove, shoe, and hat fasteners command a ready 
sale. Simple attachments for belts which prevent sagging and displace- 



94 Talbert & Talbert 

ment, and novelties in pocketbooks, cravat and necktie holders are very 
much sought after. 

93. Novel and sensational advertising devices, especially for store- 
window displays, find ready sale. 

94. Means for protecting shores which will prevent the undermining of 
buildings situated on the beach. Every year thousands of dollars are lost 
by reason of the breaking of the buttresses or breakwater, caused by high 
waters, which removes the foundation of buildings and causes the collapse 
and entire loss of the same. 

95. A prolific field fop the inventor is offered in the line of further im- 
provements in submarine vessels which will make them more practical for 
use as merchantmen and will increase their safety. 

96. A paste composition for friction matches, free from phosphorus, 
would revolutionize the manufacture of matches. The composition should 
offer such resistance to shocks and friction as to prevent apprehension of 
danger from explosions during the process of manufacture. It should also 
be free from chemical ingredients injurious to the health of those employed 
in the manufacture of matches. 

97. An alloy for armor plate, and a process and apparatus for making 
the same. The question of obtaining armor plates for forts and war vessels 
which shall be able to withstand the heavy projectiles which are now used 
is occupying the attention of all the principal nations of the world, and 
any improvement in this class of inventions would be readily adopted. 

98. For years various inventors have been attempting to secure a sub- 
stitute for the razor. Recently a Frenchman thought he had solved the 
problem, but after his device and an electro-chemical combination had been 
used in the barber shop a few days, the customers discovered that the instru- 
ment burned and blackened their chins, and the inventor was obliged to 
flee before their rage. Nevertheless, there is a fortune for the inventor 
who discovers a harmless substitute for shaving. 

99. Novel devices or structures, on the order of merry-go-rounds, tobog- 
gan slides, and the Ferris wheel, for use at summer resorts, fairs and expo- 
sitions, are always in demand, and, as a rule, are very profitable. The 
most recent inventions in this line are the centrifugal railway, in which a 
car describes a circle, and is maintained on the rails by centrifugal force; 
the "aquarama," or voyage on the rivers of the world; and the "hotel 
topsy-turvy," in which everything appears to be reversed, or upside down. 

100. Novelties in culinary utensils, or labor-saving devices for the house- 
hold, like egg beaters, vegetable parers, can openers, coffee pots, window 
or floor cleaners, tack pullers, carpet stretchers, sweepers, cleaners and 
beaters, dusters, polishers, cabinets, and flour and ash sifters, are generally 
salable. 

101. A simple device for tightening woven-wire bed springs. Anyone 
who has used these kinds of bed springs knows that in a short time the wire 
stretches or springs, causing a sagging in certain parts of the bed. A device 
which will provide means for overcoming this objection is very much 
desired. 

102. A druggists' prescription file which will enable prescriptions to be 
compactly filed away in regular order, kept clean, and at the same time 
rendered quickly accessible for several years back, so that any desired 
prescription may be readily found, removed, and replaced without disturb- 
ing others. 

103. A practical machine for scaling fish is also an invention which 
ought to prove successful, as this work is now done altogether by hand. 
In large establishments for the handling and canning of fish some rapid 
and labor-saving means for removing the scales or cleaning fish are de- 
manded. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 95 

104. A wash basin having means for closing and opening the discharge 
therein without the necessity of inserting the hand into the water contained in 
the basin. Some simple device which will take the place of the ordinary plug 
and chain, and will add little or nothing to the expense, is what is desired. 

105. Owing to the destruction of forests, and the growing scarcity of 
wooden ties, a demand has arisen for a substitute. Metal ties have been 
used for some time on European railways. It would seem that some kind 
of a hollow steel tie, filled with cement or some other practical construc- 
tion, would fill the need. 

106. One of the things which the average street railway manager is in 
search of is a satisfactory convertible car, which will save him the necessity 
of doubling his equipments and of providing storage room for the closed 
cars in summer and the open cars in winter. Experiments should be along 
the line of convenient disposition of the seats and the replacement of the ordi- 
nary side curtains which are of very little protection in wet weather. Some 
simple means of temporarily collapsing or throwing out of use of window 
sections so that they may be readily drawn into operative position will be 
a step in the direction of solving the problem. 

107. Anyone who can invent a process which will save half a cent a ton 
on the present system of loading coal into ocean steamers should be able 
to sell his invention for a very large sum. Among the great needs of the 
Navy is some easier method of coaling ships at sea from colliers, especially 
when the sea is rough. A method that would accomplish this result with 
more ease than it is now accomplished would do as much to improve the 
efficiency of a fleet of battleships as would an improvement in the making 
of armor or the invention of a more efficient gun than is now known. 

108. Liquid blacking is much more convenient to apply to boots or shoes 
than the solid blacking or paste, but most of the devices for handling it 
hitherto produced are not easy to manipulate, the common practice being 
to apply the liquid with a sponge attached to a wire inserted in the cork 
of the bottle. Attempts have been made to arrive at a successful use of 
liquid blacking in connection with the brush, but like most original inven- 
tions this class is subject to a wide range of improvements and affords an 
opportunity for an inventive mind to produce a simple and effective brush 
construction for applying liquid blacking. 

109. Any improvement tending to the amelioration of the condition of 
those who delve in the bowels of the earth for their bread would be a boon 
to humanity. The prevention of explosions from fire damp, and the purifi- 
cation of the unwholesome atmosphere of the mines, are subjects worthy of 
the attention of the thinker and inventor, not only from the humane stand- 
point, but also from a business point of view. Mine owners are quick to 
adopt practical ideas looking to the comfort or safety of their operatives, 
or adapted to facilitate the work of mining. 

110. A mechanical device or machine for plucking feathers from fowls 
would form a commercially valuable invention if constructed to operate 
efficiently and practically. Such a machine should comprise means for 
completely removing the feathers and ejecting the fowl from the machine 
thoroughly picked and ready for dressing. 

111. A device by means of which a hat, coat, or umbrella may be hung 
up with security from thieves is something which has not yet been success- 
fully developed. An effective and comparatively simple invention in this 
line would be one of value, and one which would be readily adopted. Secu- 
rity is the prime consideration, but expense and ease of manipulation are 
factors not to be ignored. 

112. One of the most profitable fields of invention at the present time is 
a smoke consumer for stoves and furnaces. If one knows the composition 
of smoke and understands that it is merely unconsumed flakes of carbon 



96 Talbert & Talbert 

floating in non-combustible gases he need not be a chemist to see that 
smoke abatement is merely a question of fuel. If soft coal was perfectly 
consumed the gases that escape through the chimney would be colorless; 
that is, there would be no carbon or soot in them and hence no smoke. It 
is obvious that this line of invention lays open a valuable territory and 
encourages inventors to experiment and to cover by patent every field 
relating to improvements in stoves and furnaces with this end in view. 

113. Notwithstanding the wonderful development of improvements in 
railway construction and equipment during the past quarter of a century, 
this field of invention is still an attractive one for the inventor. With 
respect to the locomotives, economy in fuel is an important consideration, 
and inventions looking to the consumption of the products of combustion, 
and the arresting of sparks and cinders, are in demand. Improvements 
which increase the safety of trains are also of value, and, if practical, can be 
readily placed. In connection with railway inventions, it may be sug- 
gested that apparatus for weighing the cars of a train with reasonable 
accuracy while moving either separately or loosely coupled, is something 
which railway companies need, and would doubtless promptly adopt. Car 
heating and ventilation, devices for improving the roadbed and track 
structures, are all subjects to which the inventor can profitably direct his 
ingenuity. 

114. A reliable automatic gas governor, which may be attached to a 
meter for regulating the flow of gas through the meter, and preventing the 
waste thereof. Most of the devices of this kind now on the market are 
unsatisfactory, because they require constant attention and become inope- 
rative after Jiaving been in use a short time. A simple, inexpensive, and 
effective gas governor would meet with a ready sale. 

115. To penetrate the fog of the sea has always been and still is a problem, 
and a fortune awaits the solver of this problem. Audible signals, such as 
alarm whistles, have been insufficient, and a new idea must be evolved in 
which the audible signal will be eliminated or combined with other safe- 
guards. While no specific suggestion can be afforded, it is probable that 
electricity will play an important part in the successful working out of this 
important matter. 

116. There is an actual demand for a simple, inexpensive voting device, 
adapted for the use of legislative bodies. The adoption of such an inven- 
tion by the Congress of the United States has been agitated for some time, 
and has probably only been delayed by the non-appearance of a voting 
machine or system answering the requirements as to simplicity, accuracy, 
and expense. It requires about forty-five minutes to call the roll in the 
House of Representatives, and the time and expense thus involved in the 
course of a session can readily be estimated. The inventor who solves this 
problem will be amply rewarded. 

117. To scrape a ship's bottom without the delay and expense of dry- 
docking presents a problem to inventors, the solution of which will mean 
profit to the originator and a revolution in marine repairs. The fouling of 
ships by barnacles and sea waste is a source of constant concern to navi- 
gators, and the expense of dry-docking is an important item. To free 
ships from the incubus of the sea has always been a thing desired, and sooner 
or later a practical method of accomplishing this while the vessel is afloat 
may be devised. 

118. Wheels, axles, bridges, and rails have all been strengthened to carry 
their increased loads; but, strange to say, the splices which hold in place 
the ends of the rails, and which are really short-span bridges, are now the 
weakest part of the railway. The angle-bar splice has but one-third of the 
strength of the rail, and its strength cannot be increased, owing to its want 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 97 

of depth. Joints go down under every passing wheel, and the ends of the 
rails wear out long before the rest. 

119. The electrical storage battery is the generator of the immediate 
future. The brush battery employs lead plates which necessarily require a 
considerable generation for their own transportation. The weight of the 
battery is its barrier to commercial success. The Edison battery, which 
is the most recent improvement in this line, substitutes thin steel plates 
for lead, and the plates are perforated to receive cells containing compressed 
parcels of mixed iron and graphite for the positive electrode, and nickle 
and graphite for the negative electrode. The electrolytic fluid is a solution 
of potash, which does not affect the containing vessel and preserves its 
quality. It is claimed for the battery, as a result of prolonged and severe 
tests, that it will render two or three times as much service as the same 
weight of the ordinary lead battery. 

120. During the past few years a new field has been opened for inven- 
tors. To produce realistic stage effects, mechanism is required, and a num- 
ber of patents have been recently granted in this line of invention. Ex- 
amples of these are the patents of Neill Burgess on mechanism for pro- 
ducing the horse race in the "County Fair," and the apparatus employed 
in the play of "Ben Hur" for the illustration of the chariot race. Any in- 
vention of merit in this line will be readily adopted, and perhaps no class 
of patented devices is more profitable. 

121. This field has been extensively exploited, but new toys are always 
in demand. Simplicity is to be kept in view in toys, as the cost of manu- 
facture is an item of first importance. However, in the line of electrically 
operated toys which convey an elementary knowledge of electricity the cost 
is of secondary consideration, novelty and originality being the essentials. 
In Germany the manufacture of toys is an important industry, and it is 
also an item of importance in this country. As expensive plants are ordi- 
narily not required for the manufacture of toys, patents in this line are 
easily marketed. 

122. A fortune awaits the man who will invent a good substitute for 
leather. Nobody has yet succeeded in approaching it, unless it be an in- 
ventor who has patented a fabric which he proposes to use, in particular, 
as a material for the inner soles of shoes and boots, though it may be em- 
ployed for other purposes. It resembles what is known as split sole leather, 
but is much cheaper, and claims to be superior, being waterproof, as well 
as stronger. The manufacturer of this imitation leather uses the fine sole- 
leather dust given off by the buffing rolls used upon sole leather. Hitherto 
this dust has been a waste product, but the new invention combines it with 
gum and employs it in this shape to form a coating on one or both sides 
of canvas or other similar fabric. As it dries a sprinkling of dry leather 
dust is added, and the fabric thus treated is passed between rollers, so as 
to cause the leather dust to be firmly imbedded in the fabric and combined 
with it. 

123. Inventors keep pace with the times, and encourage new "fads." 
This is demonstrated by the large number of patents recently granted on 
golf sticks and paraphernalia used in the game of golf. The latest diver- 
sion in men's apparel is the shirt waist, and this demands a substitute for 
suspenders. The belt has been universally adopted for summer wear by men, 
but it falls short both in appearance and comfort. The lucky inventor 
who devises a satisfactory substitute for suspenders will reap a rich harvest. 

124. The greatest inventions are not necessarily the most profitable. 
Small articles which may be cheaply made, and sold at a small price, are 
usually the most ready producers of profit. The public demands novelties, 
and the inventor must supply them. It may be a difficult matter to find a 
manufacturer and capitalist to promote a complicated machine, however 



98 Talbert & Talbert 

meritorious, but comparatively easy to place a patent for a simple novelty 
which may be manufactured at little expense. 

125. A successful scheme for paving alongside street-car tracks is needed. 
Repairs to the paving next the rails is one of the largest items of main- 
tenance of way. The vibration due to the speed of the heavy cars shatters 
the edges of the pavement and the rain and weather do the rest. 

126. Tables have been invented for ocean steamers that purport to 
maintain an equilibrium of the articles contained thereon. These have gen- 
erally been constructed to swing or sway, but the movements have been so 
abrupt that they are not practical for the purpose, and the way is open for 
someone to devise a simple table of this character having an easy move- 
ment without jar or vibration. 

127. An apparatus for aerial navigation. Great strides have been made 
in this art recently, and a number of partially successful devices have been 
invented. There is still room for improvement, however, and the value for 
war purposes of some machine which may be propelled through the air 
cannot be overestimated. 

128. Government officials are studying constantly to devise rapid means 
for transporting the mail for the convenience of the public. A system by 
which letters, instead of being dropped into stationary boxes, can be placed 
into receptacles and carried by electricity or pneumatic power to the post- 
office should solve the problem. 

129. Dispatching or block signaling on electric railroads is, strange to 
say, considerably behind the perfection reached on steam railroads, and 
questions connected with signaling or controlling the traffic at meeting 
points are among the most serious now engaging the attention of the man- 
agers of the inter-urban lines. There are two general ways of dealing with 
this problem, first by telegraphic dispatching, and second by electric block 
signals, automatic or otherwise. The possibility of using the tracks for 
signaling purposes on steam roads gives an immense advantage over electric 
roads in automatic signaling. The block system used on some electric 
railroads is not practically feasible by reason of the necessity of rail in- 
sulation in ground structures. On lines with dirt ballast and where one 
rail of the track cannot be spaced from the return circuit for the purpose 
of signaling, this plan is not available. The discovery of a simple and 
practical signaling device or mechanism for electric railroads will prove a 
source of material income to the successful inventor. 

130. In connection with sea travel, another avenue to wealth is open to 
inventors, for second only in importance to preventing collisions and acci- 
dents at sea is the loss of life which results from such accidents. While 
lifeboats of various construction and of more or less merit are now carried 
as part of the equipment of sea-going vessels, perfection in this line has by 
no means been reached, and there is an absolute demand for meritorious 
and practical improvements in this line. Any invention which will add to 
the present safeguards for ocean travelers should be successful financially, 
as well as a contribution to the cause of humanity. 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 99 



Kinds of Inventions for Which the Present War Has 
Created Enormous Demand 

The following list gives a general idea of some of the lines of 
manufacture and industry in which new inventions and im- 
provements are especially needed at this time, on account of 
the war: 

1. Tools of nearly every character. 

2. Machinery for the manufacture of practically every article used by 
man in times of peace, to say nothing of all munitions of war. 

3. Automobiles, and especially heavy armored types for use in warfare. 

4. Excavating machinery. 

5. Explosives. 

6. Wire-cutting devices. 

7. Air craft of every description. 

8. Armor plate, and processes for hardening and treating metals. 

9. Devices to protect ships from submarine torpedoes and other bodies 
from attack. 

10. Improvements in ships and shipbuilding. 

11. Scientific instruments, such as telescopes, periscopes, range finders, 
sound detectors and others. 

12. Medical, surgical, and hospital appliances, and equipment for use 
in treating and transporting the wounded. 

13. Conveyances and means of transportation. 

14. Telephonic, telegraphic, wireless, and other apparatus for trans- 
mitting messages. 

15. Improvements in clothing and soldiers' body equipment. 

16. Improved and cheaper means for manufacturing clothing of all 
kinds. 

17. Agricultural implements of all kinds which will tend to increase the 
productivity of the soil and encourage agricultural pursuits. 

18. Shoes and other leather goods, including a practical leather sub- 
stitute. 

19. Rubber goods, and a practical substitute for rubber. 

20. Food products and machinery for manufacturing and handling 
them. 

21. Canning machinery. 

22. Mining machinery. 

23. Engines and motors which will produce more power and reduce fuel 
consumption. 

24. Practical substitutes for gasoline and other power-producing fuels 
now in use. 

25. Materials and machinery used in building and construction. 

26. Bridge-building machinery. 

27. Freight-handling devices and improvements in railway equipment. 

28. Paper-making machinery and processes of manufacture. 

29. Games, toys and amusement devices. 

30. Devices of every character which will save money and time, and 
prevent destruction of life and property. 



100 Talbert & Talbert 



DON'T DELAY 

If you have conceived an idea for which you desire to apply 
for patent it is very important that you submit the invention 
to us without delay. 

This will enable us to complete our examination of your 
disclosure and, if the idea is patentable subject matter, send 
you our Certificate of Patentability, which will serve as 
evidence of the invention until your application can be filed. 

Any delay on your part gives some other inventor an oppor- 
tunity to conceive a similar idea and, if he should file his appli- 
cation before you disclosed your invention and secure proof 
thereof, you might lose your rights entirely. 



Don't Delay 

Submit your invention to us at once 



TALBERT & TALBERT 

Successors to TALBERT & PARKER 

Patent Lawyers 

711 8th St., N. W. 
Talbert Building Washington, D. C 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 101 



INDEX TO CONTENTS 

Abandoned Applications, Renewal of 47 

Advertising Patents We Secure 73 

Application for Patent, Definition of 38 

Appeals . 47, 48 

Appeal to Board of Examiners in Chief 47 

Appeal to Commissioner of Patents 48 

Appeal to Court of Appeals, District of Columbia .... 48 

A Personal Talk to Inventors 11-13 

Assignments (see also Contracts, Licenses) 43-46 

Attorneys, Reliability of (see References) 81, 82 

Attorneys, Selection of 11, 60, 61 

Certificate as to Patentable Subject Matter 36 

Co-inventors 45 

Composition Patents 35 

Compounds, Patents for 49,50 

Conception and Disclosure, Evidence of 36 

Contracts (see also Assignments, Licenses) 46 

Copyrights 56 

Cost of Applying for a Patent 37 

Delays, Danger in 61 

Demand for New Inventions 17 

Demand for New Inventions, How War Has Increased . 28-32 
Design Patents 50-52 

Evidence of Conception and Disclosure . 36 

Financing Inventions 75 

Foreign Patents 62-68 

Foreign Trade Marks 68 

Fortunes Which Inventions Have Produced . . . . . 21-28 

Important Features of our Service 77-84 

Infringements of Patents 49 

Inventions as Investments 18 

Inventions, How to Protect 9 

Inventions, Sale of 19-28 

Inventions, Submitting to the Government 32 

Inventions Which Have Produced Fortunes 21-28 

Interferences 48> 49 



102 Talbert & Talbert 

Introduction, A Personal Talk to Inventors 11-13 

Labels and Prints 56 

Licenses (see also Assignments, Contracts) 43 

Manufacturing and Selling before Issue of Patent .... 76 

Our Offices, Location of 1-12 

Our Offices, Views of 4-8 

Our Services, Important Features of 77-84 

Patents, Advertising of 73 

Patent Buyers, Our Lists of 72 

Patents, Cost of Applying for 37 

Patents, Definition of 34 

Patents, Facts about . 57-60 

Patents for Compounds 49, 50 

Patents, for What Granted 35 

Patents, How to Obtain 34-36 

Patents in Foreign Countries 62-68 

Patent Office, View of, Showing Talbert Building .... 1 

Patents, Reissues of 45 

Patents, Sale and Promotion of 69-76 

Patents, Time Necessary to Secure 43 

Patents, Transfer of Rights to 46 

Patents, Who May Secure 34 

Patentable Subject Matter, Certificate as to 36 

Prints and Labels 56 

Prizes for Inventions 18 

Process Patents 35 

Promotion and Sale of Patents 69-76 

Prosecution of an Application for Patent 41 

Protecting Your Ideas, Importance of 33 

Renewal of Abandoned Applications 47 

References 81, 82 

Reissue of Patents 45 

Rejected Applications 44 

Sale and Promotion of Patents 69-76 

Saleability of Patents 16 

Search of Patent Office Records 37 

Selling an Invention 15 

Submitting an Invention to the Government 32 



Patent Lawyers, Washington, D. C. 103 

Talbert, Mr. E. Hume, Biographical Sketch 2, 3 

Testimonials from Our Clients 34-65 

Time Necessary to Secure a Patent 43 

Trade Marks 52-56 

Trade Marks, Cost of . . . 54 

Trade Marks, in Foreign Countries 68 

Trade Marks, Use of 56 

Value of Inventions 19-28 

War, How it Has Increased the Demand for Inventions 28-32 
War, Kinds of Inventions Needed for Success of ... 30-32 

What to Invent 86-99 

What to Invent, Kinds of Inventions for Which the Present 
War Has Created Demand 99 



104 Talbert &"ITalbert 



GENERAL SCHEDULE OF MINIMUM CHARGES 

The following charges are for cases of the most simple nature only. 
Cases of a complicated nature requiring more than average time and 
thought or additional sheets of drawings will be charged for in proportion 
thereto. 



Attorney's Drawing Gov't 

Fee (1 sheet) Filing fee Total 

For Filing an Application 
for a Simple 

Mechanical Patent $25 $5 $15 $45 

Electrical Patent 30 5 15 50 

Process Patent 35 .. 15 50 

Chemical Patent 35 . . 15 50 

Composition Patent. 35 . . 15 50 

(A Final Government Fee of $20 is due within six months after allow- 
ance in above cases.) 



Design Patents 

Three and a half year 

term $25 

Seven year term 25 

Fourteen year term... . 25 



Attorney's 
Fee 


Drawing 


Total 
Gov't Fee 


Tote 


$25 
25 
25 


$5 
5 
5 


$10 
15 
30 


$40 
45 
60 


15 


5 


10 


30 








20 
10 



Trade Mark 

Label or Print (Total 

Cost) 

Copyright 

Appeal to Board of Examiners in Chief $25 and upwards 

Appeal to Commissioner of Patents $50 and upwards 

Infringement and Validity Reports $25 and upwards 

Assignment of Patent $5 and upwards 

Special Search, Including Anticipating References $5. 00 

Copies of Issued Patents, each 10 

TALBERT & TALBERT 

PATENT LAWYERS 
Successors to Talbert & Parker 
TALBERT BUILDING, 711 EIGHTH STREET, N.W. 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS # 



019 973 417 9 



PATENTS 



How To Obtain a Patent 

Send us a Sketch, Model, or Photograph 
with written description of the various parts 
of your invention. 

We will make a thorough examination of 
your disclosure and send you our opinion 
as to patentability Free of Charge. 

If we report your invention patentable 
subject matter we will send you our Certifi- 
cate of Patentability which will serve as 
evidence of your invention. 



*«* & TALBERT 

Successors to TALBERT & PARKER 
Patent Lawyer* 

711 8th St.. N. W. 

Talbert Building Washington, D. C. 



